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Health
Dept. excited about new annex
Wanda English Burnett
Editor
The Ripley County Health Department met in regular session April
5 for their second public meeting of the year.
Pat Thomas, public health coordinator, gave an update on the annex
project.
She noted that plans are shaping up with the health department
being located in one large area, something that will be vital
for the services they provide.
Thomas said the plans are for the health department to have their
own separate entrance to the annex. She noted this is an important
aspect due to the nature of sick people who come for help.
There is a mass examination room in case of a disaster and an
environmental storage room, along with secure storage areas and
much more.
Were excited...were ready to move in,
Thomas noted.
County health nurse, Vicky Powell, had a busy three months with
680 immunizations administered; 6 immunization clinics held, 32
blood pressure screenings; 112 adult vaccines which include hepatitis,
procrit, allergy, and vitamin B); 9 communicable disease control
and investigations; 50 tuberculin skin tests; 51 home/school visits/
25 meetings/conferences/ 11 flu vaccines administered; participated
in a heartbeats festival and had two investigations.
Under the environmental division report for complaints, investigations
and consultations, the department responded to the following:
arsenic 20; lead 13; home complaints/consultations 19; mobile
home park 14; mold and mildew 10; open burning 10; and 4 water/well
consultations.
There were 3 complaints on swimming pools, 3 consultations, 32
sample reports received, and 4 swimming pool inspections from
January through March of 2011 in Ripley County.
Vital records reported a total of 69 new births recorded; 68 deaths;
388 birth certificates issued and 371 death certificates issued.
There was a total of $7,156 collected through the registrars
office for the three month period.
A lengthy discussion ensued concerning a new state law regarding
vaccinations through local health departments. Watch for additional
information on this subject in the next few weeks to explain the
changes that will be made and how it will impact the local communities.
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