issue 08-10
October 2008
Inside this issue …
Breen receives CCS McCarthy Therapist of the Year Award
Jennifer Breen, an Occupational Therapy Assistant with the California Children’s Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Program, has been awarded the Kathy McCarthy Therapist of the Year Award. Jennifer has worked for the CCS program since 1999 and was nominated by her peers for her leadership and dedication to the CCS program. Jennifer is always enthusiastic about her job and continuously goes above and beyond her work requirements. She is a great team player and readily assists wherever she is needed. Her experience and expertise in pediatric therapy is outstanding and she is well liked by the children and families she serves.
The CCS Kathy McCarthy Therapist of the Year Award was established in 1992 to recognize staff occupational and physical therapists who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their profession, and the children and families of the CCS Medical Therapy Program. Kathy McCarthy was an Occupational Therapist in the CCS program who passed away in 1992. She had a 25 year career with the Orange County CCS Program. The award was established in her name to honor her dedication to the children served by the program.
California Children’s Services specializes in medical care, case management, and physical and occupational therapy for children with certain health care needs. The goals of CCS include preventing disabling conditions in children through early diagnosis and treatment and maximizing function and quality of life for children with severe physically disabling conditions.
Left to Right: Jennifer Breen, OTA/L, Lynn
Einarsson, MS, OTR/L, Chief Therapist,
California Children’s Services
Executive Team boosts United Way effort
The HCA Executive Team got the 2008 United Way campaign off to a lively start September 30 with a fund raising barbecue held in the parking lot of the old Orange County Courthouse.
While the temperatures were hot, the wood fired grill cooking the hot dogs
added to the ambiance for the taste treats enjoyed by the hundreds who attended. Topped off with fresh fruit, sweets and cold beverages, the event again proved popular with HCA staff as well as with employees from other County Agencies. Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach and County Treasurer-Tax Collector Chriss Street were among those spotted enjoying the barbecue and the company of their fellow county employees.
The event helped set the stage for the October 8th kick-off of the Countywide campaign, which followed the theme “Pledge to Participate in 2008.” The sports-themed event also drew its usual large crowd to the Civic Center area. The County of Orange raised more than $700,000 last year to assist the United Way’s member agencies and this year’s drive has a goal of raising even more to assist those who need essential services in our communities. If you’d like more information on other upcoming United Way events, visit
http://ocintranet.ocgov.com/unitedway/ongoing.asp. More information about the programs and services supported by the United Way is available on their website at
www.unitedwayoc.org.
Wood-fired hot dogs were on the menu for the Executive Team’s
September 30th United Way fundraiser. The event was also a great
opportunity for HCA staff to network and share a laugh.
Sanction screening and Compliance
Hi! My name is Shelley Wallevand and I am the newest member of the Office of Compliance Team. I started with HCA working at Environmental Health and made the leap to the Compliance Office recently, and the most common question I have been asked is “Why?” So, I’m here to give you some of what I consider interesting tidbits about our Compliance Program from the view of a rookie member of the Compliance Team.
One of the first things that I learned about was sanction screening. What, you may ask, is sanction screening?
Did you know that the Federal Government will not reimburse the Health Care Agency for certain services if the individuals we employ to perform those particular services are on an exclusion list created by the Federal Government?
For example, the Office of Inspector General, or OIG, has a list of “Excluded Individuals” which includes people who have been convicted of particular crimes including patient abuse, felony convictions related to healthcare fraud, felony convictions related to a controlled substance, and even defaulting on some types of student loans. Because hiring people from this list can have large financial ramifications, this list is checked, and rechecked, to ensure that we do not employ anyone from that list.
HCA sanction screening checks must be completed before:
A job offer
Signing any contract or agreement
Ordering any goods or services
A volunteer/intern/mentor starts working in your program
Plan ahead when ordering goods or contracting for services to give Purchasing and Contracts enough time to process your request and complete the sanction screening before goods or services are needed. Even if you have used this vendor in the past, Purchasing and Contracts are required to re-screen before issuing a new contract or price agreement.
If you have volunteers or interns in your program, the supervisor or manager is responsible for ensuring that the applicants complete all of the forms and return them to Volunteer Services before the start date in order to allow Volunteer Services time to complete the screening process before any work is initiated.
Sanction screening is more than HCA policy. These are examples of organizations that got in trouble for using excluded parties:
In 2008, a Florida hospital agreed to pay $119,838 and enter into a 3-year compliance agreement for allegedly employing an individual that they knew or should have known had been excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.
In 2007, a health care facility in New York agreed to pay $1 million and enter into a 3-year compliance agreement for employing an individual that they knew or should have known had been excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.
If you have any questions about sanction screening or compliance, feel free to contact the Office of Compliance at (714) 568-5614.
Fall has finally arrived and now it is back to school and work. Soon there will be pumpkins to carve and leaves to rake but something else is coming our way—our annual online General Safety Training!
The 2008 annual on-line General Safety Training is a very important part of HCA’s effort to ensure that all employees are safe and productive. Cal/OSHA requires that all employees be trained annually on the four core subjects: Injury and Illness Prevention; Fire Prevention; Hazard Communication; and Emergency Evacuation. This training is a great refresher on the ways we can make our work environment safer and feel physically comfortable at our worksites (don’t miss the exciting Ergonomic section). Please ensure that you complete your 2008 Annual Safety Training as soon as possible, and that you provide your Supervisor with a copy of your certificate.
Some of you may be wondering, “What exactly is an Injury and Illness Prevention Program?” That is a great question! The following are some quick and simple points to remember about this important part of our safety program: The Injury and Illness Prevention program may be referred to as the “IIPP.” The law states all employers must provide their employees with a safe and healthful environment through their “IIPP.” HCA’s written “IIPP” document outlines 8 steps taken to comply with Cal/OSHA regulations in order to make your work environment safe. All programs are to have a copy of their “IIPP” at each work site. Each employee is to read their “IIPP” and work toward making their environment safe.
We all know safety is a top priority at HCA, and the HCA Safety Program is pleased and excited to let you know about all of the positive changes that are going on in the world of safety.
Exercises keep HCA staff on the move
A pair of field exercises during the month of September helped HCA staff prepare for the actual response needed during an emergency.
Staff from HCA Environmental Health tested their skills in an environmental sampling exercise associated with the Agency’s preparations to respond to a Biowatch incident. BioWatch is a warning system that can detect trace amounts of biological materials in the air whether they are due to intentional release or due to minute quantities that may occur naturally in the environment. The system assists public health experts determine the presence and geographic extent of a biological agent, allowing federal, state, and local officials to more quickly determine emergency response and medical care needs. Environmental Health staff also helped County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler gain a better understanding of the process by having him suit-up in the type of personal protective equipment used for environmental sampling of hazardous materials.
Health Disaster Management partnered with the U.S. Postal Service and the Santa Ana Fire Department for an annual drill at the Santa Ana Mail Processing Center associated with the Biohazard Detection System (BDS), which detects the presence of anthrax in the mail. Each year, the Health Care Agency exercises its ability to set up a Point of Distribution (POD) near the post office site and provide antibiotics to Postal Service employees who may have been exposed to anthrax. The exercise brought together staff from HCA Public Health Services and Health Disaster Management, as well as volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps. The Santa Ana Fire Department demonstrated the type of decontamination that would be required in the event of a BDS alert and Postal Service employees experienced what it would be like to report to a POD site and receive medications.
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Santa Ana Fire Department personnel demonstrate decontamination of an individual who may have been exposed to a biological agent while final touches are completed for the Point of Dispensing (POD) site. |
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Environmental Health
Specialists Dave Dixon,
Darwin Chang and Gary Zimmerman help
County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler suit up
in personal protective equipment for a recent
field testing exercise.
Mobile clinic meets health needs of the homeless
Mobile clinic meets health needs of the homeless Mobile clinics from several local health care organizations joined forces during September to help deliver needed services to homeless residents of Orange County. The health and social service fair conducted in the parking lot of a Costa Mesa motel is part of the on-going effort by County agencies including the Health Care Agency, as well as community based organizations, private providers and others to care for families that are without a permanent place of residence.
During the September event, 45 individuals, including many families with children, took advantage of the opportunity to receive health care services, apply for on-going programs like Cal-Optima or the Medical Services Initiative, and learn about other programs available to serve them. Mobile units from Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UC Irvine Medical Center and the Orange County Rescue Mission, staffed by Kaiser Permanente physicians, participated in the event. Thi
s was the second such event held in Costa Mesa, with other similar events held in Santa Ana and Westminster.
“These opportunities are essential to meeting the immediate health care needs of Orange County’s homeless, while helping them access programs and services that will help with their needs on an on-going basis,” said Dr. Eric G. Handler, County Health Officer. ”Together with the efforts of the Comprehensive Health Assessment Team-Homeless Public Health Nurses (CHAT-H) and the efforts of other individuals, groups and organizations, on-site health fairs can make a tremendous difference in the lives of homeless individuals.”
County Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler joined
staff from the UCI Medical Center mobile unit at
a recent event to provide health care services to
homeless individuals in Orange County.
A family meets with staff from the Children’s Hospital of Orange County mobile health clinic prior to receiving services.
Hat’s Off to Gene Pineda, a Registered Nurse with HCA Correctional Medical Services (CMS), who used his medical skills and training to help save a life during a recent trip to Los Angeles.
In early September, Gene was in a parking lot near Downtown Los Angeles when a passenger in a nearby vehicle experienced a medical emergency. Gene quickly assessed that the young man, a student at the University of Southern California, was in cardiac arrest and he performed CPR on the man until paramedics arrived. Gene’s quick action made the difference in saving a life, with doctors at an area hospital determining the man suffered from a heart abnormality.
Gene, who has been with CMS since December 2006, went on his way after coming to the man’s aid and did not know if the man had survived until local and national media ran stories about the event. It seemed that the young man’s family was searching for Gene in order to say “Thank You!” for his actions. Correctional Medical Services staff members regularly respond to emergencies while on duty, but it is rare that we are called upon to respond as Good Samaritans while off duty. All of us at CMS & HCA are extremely proud of Gene and his willingness to help another, and we’re glad to see the positive press he has received!
Radiology Techs honored during Radiologic Technology Week 2008
National Radiologic Technology Week is an annual event recognizing the contributions of Radiologic Technologists (RTs) across the nation. The celebration takes place each November to commemorate the anniversary of the
X-ray’s discovery on November 8, 1895. This year’s theme,
Every Picture Tells a Story, reflects the significance of each and every image created by an RT.
At HCA, there are currently three Certified Radiologic Technologists within Public Health Services who perform radiology services focused primarily on pulmonary infectious diseases—tuberculosis. They perform from 7,000 to 10,000 exams per year and provide TB clearance for immigration/refugee clients and follow-up for patients being treated for TB. The chest X-ray is the most common procedure performed, but HCA technologists also participate in all general diagnostic radiographic procedures as requested by the referring physician.
As radiological technology evolves, Public Health continues to implement upgrades to improve patient care and continue on the path to a paperless environment. Future enhancements include a Radiology Information System (RIS) that attaches transcribed reports directly to the image file, allowing simultaneous review by the referring physician and making comparisons of previous exams easier.
For more information about Radiologic Technology Week, visit the American Society of Radiologic Technologists website at
www.asrt.org.
HCA Radiologic
Technologists pictured (left to right) are Duane
Nielsen ARRT, CRT Program Supervisor; Norma Guillen, ARRT,
CRT Staff Technologist at 17th St. Radiology; and Tuan Nguyen
ARRT, CRT Staff Technologist at Westminster Radiology.
Flu season approaches
The start of influenza season is just around the corner, and HCA Employee Health Services is again doing its part to keep County employees he
althy by offering flu shots at numerous County locations.
The employee flu shot program began in early October and will continue through the influenza season at the Employee Health Services office, located at 600 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 405, Santa Ana 92701. At the Employee Health Services clinic, flu shots are offered Monday-Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. Several employee flu shot clinics will also be held at county worksites through November 19th. Flu shots are free for all HCA employees. Employee Health Services will also provide free flu shots to other County employees who are in the designated high-risk categories. County employees who do not fit into one of the high-risk groups can obtain a flu shot at a discounted rate of $11.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its influenza vaccine guidelines to include even more people in the group for which flu shots are recommended. Most of these people are recommended for vaccination because they are at high risk of having serious flu complications or they live with or care for people at high risk for serious complications. Among those who should get a flu shot this season are:
People 50 years of age and older
Health care workers
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People with a medical condition that suppresses their immune system
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
If you’d like more information on the flu shot program offered by County of Orange Employee Health Services, call (714) 565-3780. For more information on ways to prevent influenza, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
National Hospital & Health-System Pharmacy Week—19-25
American Diabetes Month
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Jaw Joints - TMJ Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Healthy Skin Month
National Hospice Palliative Care Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Prematurity Awareness Month
Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month
Prematurity Awareness Day—18
Great American Smokeout—20
National Survivors of Suicide Day—22
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week—25-Dec. 1
Artistic talents on display at MHSA
HCA Behavioral Health’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Office held an Art Exhibit and Open House on Wednesday, September 24th at the MHSA offices, located at 600 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
This special occasion honored consumers who participated in the March 2008 Art Fair and provided an opportunity for the public to view the original art and writing of finalists. Many of the consumer entries were featured in MHSA’s 2009 calendar. Paintings, sketches, photography, multi-media pieces, ceramics, and glassware were on display, as well as poems and inspirational thoughts by consumers. Mark Refowitz, Deputy Agency Director for Behavioral Health Services, conducted the awards ceremony and recognized the artists for their “museum quality work.” This exhibit provided an opportunity to meet the artists and observe the talent and creative vision of artists who are living with mental illness.
The event also allowed HCA staff, consumers and visitors to tour the office location of the Mental Health Services Act and visit with MHSA staff.
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Participants in the MHSA Office Art Fair pose following a presentation at the September 24th open house. Art works were also displayed for all to see. |
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Health Preparedness Summit focuses on schools, businesses
HCA’s Health Disaster Management Division successfully hosted the two-day 2008 Health Preparedness Summit on September 23-24, with over 165 individuals from Orange County schools and businesses participating in at least one day of the event.
Each day of the Summit had a different focus, with helping to prepare schools for response to a health emergency the theme for day one, and the unique needs of businesses addressed on day two. Day two also featured a special breakfast session for 30 representatives from some of Orange County’s largest and most influential businesses, with Third District Supervisor Bill Campbell and County Executive Officer Tom Mauk among those in attendance.
Topics for the conference included an update on influenza, including pandemic influenza, developing a safe school plan, developing business and health partnerships and business response to disasters. On the afternoon of the first day, school representatives had the opportunity to participate in a tabletop exercise to simulate the notification process in the event of a public health emergency and the process of dismissing schools from regular operations in the event of an emergency.
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More than 30 business people from throughout Orange County participated in a special breakfast meeting prior to day two of the 2008 Health Preparedness Summit. Among those in attendance were (l-r): Bill Campbell, Orange County Supervisor, Third District; Tom Mauk, County Executive Officer; Julie Poulson, HCA Director; David Souleles, Deputy Agency Director/Public Health Services; Dr. Eric G. Handler, County Health Officer. |
Quote
Awareness of both your limitations and your potential enhances humility.
—Sheila Murray Bethe
What’s UP is a newsletter for employees of the County of
Orange, CA, Health Care Agency.
Editors
Tricia Landquist
Howard Sutter
Anne Fialcowitz
Phone (714) 834-6644
E-mail tlandquist@ochca.com
FAX (714) 834-7644
Pony Bldg. 38-S, 4th Floor
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