| Document | Date |
|---|---|
| EMCC Agenda Packet | 10/11/2022 |
| EMCC Agenda | 10/11/2022 |
| Attachment 1 - EMCC Minutes 07/08/2022 | 10/11/2022 |
| Attachment 2 - APOT and Diversion Report | 10/11/2022 |
| Attachment 3 - EMCC Correspondence | 10/11/2022 |
| Attachment 4 - 2022 Ambulance Rate History Proposal Comments | 10/11/2022 |
| Attachment 5 - 2022 Ambulance Rate History Proposal Comments | 10/11/2022 |
| Attachment 6 - EMCC Meeting Dates 2023 | 10/11/2022 |
The Health Advisory below discusses an early increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in California. Providers are advised to consider testing for additional respiratory pathogens besides SARS-CoV-2, including RSV, and to administer prophylactic palivizumab to high-risk infants and young children per American Academy of Pediatrics guidance.
Link:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Uganda caused by Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus) to summarize CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians, case identification and testing, and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations. No suspected, probable, or confirmed EVD cases related to this outbreak have yet been reported in the United States. However, as a precaution and to remind clinicians about best practices, CDC is communicating with public health departments, public health laboratories, and healthcare workers in the United States to raise awareness of this outbreak.
Please see the full CDC HAN at the following link: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/han00477.asp
(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) is announcing the launch of a data dashboard reporting Orange County Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Mortality trends for the purpose of informing mental health providers, researchers and policymakers in targeting services to specific demographic and geographic areas most at risk of drug and alcohol misuse.
This dashboard, along with other HCA data, can be found by visiting www.OCHealthinfo.com/data. Users can interact with the dashboard by filtering information by age, gender, race, city and/or ZIP Code. Data will be refreshed annually or more frequently, based on the availability of new data. The data is sourced through the California Comprehensive Death File (CCDF) and the opioid prescription information is from the California Department of Justice (CURES) Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System.
“While the data reports lives lost to the tragedy of drug and alcohol misuse, we are hopeful that the information will help make decisions to save lives in the future,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “At our recent Hope for Recovery event, resources and support were shared with members of the community and family members of those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.”
“Substance misuse prevention is most effective when we have data to inform policies,” said Vice Chairman, Donald Wagner, Third District Supervisor. “The dashboard will be a powerful tool for targeting prevention initiatives.”
HCA’s MHRS will be launching a NARCAN community education and distribution outreach effort utilizing the demographic and geographic data provided in the dashboard. NARCAN is a life-saving medication/ intervention that can reverse an opioid overdose, which is the drug responsible for most overdose deaths.
“Having a better understanding of who is most at risk of a drug or alcohol death will help us educate and support our community by reaching out to our most impacted populations,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District.
“Narcotics, fentanyl, and opioids have infiltrated every facet of our society – our communities, schools, most vulnerable populations,” stated Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “Tools like this are necessary to keep track of the escalating opioid crisis in Orange County and inform education on administering lifesaving drugs such as NARCAN, preventing tragedies in the long term.”
“Access to this data enhances our efforts to address substance misuse prevention,” said Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett, Fifth District. “Using current and relevant data resources, we can create, and support prevention efforts related to mental illness and substance misuse.”
“The updated data provided in the Drug and Alcohol Mortality and Misuse Dashboard will inform a wide variety of efforts, including public awareness campaigns and community outreach. Planning for opioid settlement funding is beginning and this data will further inform the use of funding,” says Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of MHRS. “It will help deepen our understanding of the problem areas and strengthen prevention and intervention efforts.”
If you or someone you know needs help for substance misuse, please call OC Links at (855) 625-4657, or visit www.ocnavigator.org.
Press Release in Chinese
Press Release in Korean
Press Release in Spanish
Press Release in Vietnamese
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(Santa Ana, CA) – A bat found outside the main lobby of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Building #1 on Alton Parkway in Irvine, on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at has tested positive for rabies. Given the location and circumstance, The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is urging residents to be on alert and avoid contact with any bats. Rabid bats are identified routinely each year in Orange County and around the country. Contact with bats should be avoided and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider.
Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call the HCA Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 to determine the risk for rabies. Owners of pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian.
The rabies virus is found in an animal’s saliva and is transmitted to people by a bite from a rabid animal. Although very rare, contamination of the eyes, mouth or an open wound by the saliva of a rabid animal can also transmit rabies. Most cases of human rabies in the United States in recent years have resulted from bat strains of rabies; bats have very small teeth, and their bites may go unnoticed.
Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. For that reason, preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies. Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned and preventive treatment can be started. This treatment is safe and effective.
The HCA and OC Animal Care recommend the following actions to minimize the risk of rabies:
Potential exposure to a bat or other wild animal should be reported to the HCA Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180. To report a bat in your home, an animal bite, or a stray animal, contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848.
More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies.
Press Release in Chinese
Press Release in Korean
Press Release in Spanish
Press Release in Vietnamese
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(Santa Ana, CA) – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning to school leaders last week about a new and concerning “rainbow fentanyl,” a potentially fatal drug found in brightly colored pills and powders that could attract young people.
In its letter, the CDPH points to a recent warning from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency that notes the highly addictive and potentially deadly “rainbow fentanyl” has been found in at least 18 states. Read the full CDPH warning.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Youth drug misuse and abuse is growing in our state with one in eight teens reporting abusing an illicit substance in the past year,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Mental Health and Recovery Services division. “Counterfeit pills are easily accessible via social media platforms and are increasing laced with fentanyl – one pill can kill!”
The CDC says fentanyl and other synthetic opioids cause most overdose deaths in the country. While these drugs generally have no tell-tale tastes, smells or visual indicators, there are signs associated with opioid overdoses. They include:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
“These brightly colored pills or powders laced with fentanyl could easily be mistaken for candy or chalk and pose a threat to our community,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and HCA Chief Medical Officer. “I urge everyone in the community to spread awareness and learn how to use naloxone in the event of a fentanyl overdose or poisoning.”
Some California schools have created naloxone policies in response to increases in opioid overdoses among youth. Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. The CDPH encourages schools that are interested in developing these policies and receiving free naloxone to review relevant regulations and apply for a Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project offers free naloxone to qualified organizations, including schools and universities.
Visit the CDPH Overdose Prevention Initiative site for more information, including resources for adult role models and educators.
Get more facts about fentanyl from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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(Santa Ana, CA) - The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is partnering with the Anaheim Ducks National Hockey League (NHL) Club in its first ever multi-year partnership to promote mental health awareness.
As part of the three-year partnership, the HCA will cross-promote its mental health wellness resources platform, the OC Navigator with the Anaheim Ducks. The promotion features the OC Navigator logo displayed on all player helmets. The OC Navigator tool is a robust online resource designed to connect the community with local mental health and support services, including recovery resources.
“Focusing on mental health is important for all ages, we are thrilled to support this partnership with the Anaheim Ducks organization,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor.
“We are grateful to have an effective tool like the OC Navigator connecting all of Orange County with mental health resources,” said Vice Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor. “Sharing the message is key.”
The partnership will focus on the HCA’s mental health campaign across the Ducks’ organization. Beyond the Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks’ organization, the HCA will have visual signage at Rinks locations throughout Orange County and the ARTIC Transportation Center. Additional awareness will be featured on the NHL Club’s digital media channels, website, TV, and radio platforms.
“Every day, there are family, friends, and co-workers who suffer in silence,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “It’s important to know that you’re not alone. If you can’t talk to a friend or family member, there’s always someone at the National Hotline 9-8-8, ready to listen.”
“To urgently respond to the mental health crisis here in Orange County, we must prioritize removing the stigma around mental health and seeking help,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. We must remove the stigma to talk about dying, cancer, grief, depression, and our emotions. To help, we want to empower our diverse community of Orange County residents to take advantage of the wide range of mental health resources the county offers."
“Mental health impacts our entire community,” said Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett, Fifth District. “It is critical that those struggling with mental health issues know that help and resources are available and encourage them to reach out, and loved ones to reach in. I am so pleased to partner with the Anaheim Ducks to get this very important message out there. We can all play a role in promoting good mental health.”
In addition, the HCA will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Captain’s Challenge, a Ducks’ program for fifth-grade students that promotes healthy living and prepares students for the California Physical Fitness Test.
“Maintaining good mental health is as equally important as maintaining good physical health,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, the HCA’s Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services.
To celebrate the partnership, Ducks fans attending the team’s Opening Night game October 12 vs. Seattle will receive an OC Navigator paper hockey helmet courtesy of the HCA.
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Translations: Chinese | Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese
(Santa Ana, CA) – As 100+ Orange County schools celebrate International Walk To School Day on October 5, 2022, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages all drivers to be alert and vigilant about driving safely in school zones and asks residents to take the Go Human Safety Pledge to help keep our students safe.
Walk To School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools, and the community.
Many of our local schools will be organizing Walk to School festivities which include carrying safety signs and encouraging messages, local law enforcement and firefighters walking alongside kids, and guest speakers attending special school safety rallies. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike.
“The HCA has taken the Safety Pledge as a public agency and is proud to support this initiative,” said Dr. Clayton Chau, Agency Director. “With so many schools back to in-person learning, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about driving cautiously. Our hope is to have our cars and children safely co-exist on the streets in our communities.”
The HCA’s Public Health Services Injury Prevention team has supported the Walk To School program with education toolkits and materials, growing participation to more than 100 schools over the past 20 years. With the addition of this year’s Go Human Safety Pledge, local drivers are encouraged to contribute to the success of the annual Walk To School by taking the pledge to support local schools and our community.
Press Release in Chinese
Press Release in Korean
Press Release in Vietnamese
(Santa Ana, CA) – A bat found at a parking lot located at Pickleball Court #1 at the Fountain Valley Tennis Center, 16400 Brookhurst Street in the City of Fountain Valley, on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at around 10:30 a.m., has tested positive for rabies. Given the location and circumstance, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is urging residents to be on the alert and avoid contact with any bats. Rabid bats are identified routinely each year in Orange County and around the country. Contact with bats should be avoided and any potential bat bite should be discussed with a medical provider.
Anyone who may have had physical contact with this bat or saw someone else having contact with the bat is asked to call the HCA Health Care Agency (HCA) Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180 to determine the risk for rabies. Owners of pets who may have had contact with this bat should contact their veterinarian.
The rabies virus is found in an animal’s saliva and is transmitted to people by a bite from a rabid animal. Although very rare, contamination of the eyes, mouth or an open wound by the saliva of a rabid animal can also transmit rabies. Most cases of human rabies in the United States in recent years have resulted from bat strains of rabies; bats have very small teeth, and their bites may go unnoticed.
Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease is nearly always fatal. For that reason, preventive treatment to stop the rabies virus from causing illness is given to anyone who may have been exposed to rabies. Medical assistance should be obtained promptly after an exposure so any wound can be cleaned and preventive treatment can be started. This treatment is safe and effective.
The HCA and OC Animal Care recommend the following actions to minimize the risk of rabies:
Potential exposure to a bat or other wild animal should be reported to the HCA Communicable Disease Control Division at (714) 834-8180. To report a bat in your home, an animal bite, or a stray animal, contact OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848.
More information about rabies is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies.
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Translations: Chinese | Korean | Spanish | Vietnamese