State releases results of health department review

Wahkiakum County officials were pleased with the results of the three-year review of the performance standards of the health department.

Department officials told the county board of commissioners that the county's programs are improving, and they'll work on the areas the inspectors identified as needing improvement.

"Every year, those areas needing improvement are becoming fewer," Bright said.

The performance standards to intended to provide indications of how well the department is doing in serving the public.

Bright presented a summary of the thick document.

The review said the department is doing a good job with:

--The county privacy practices;

--Conducting and disseminating information and letting the public know about incidents;

--Informing, educating and engaging the public about health issues;

--Engaging in collaborative community partnerships to identify and address health issues, and

--Demonstrating good use of a quality assurance programs.

There are areas that need improvement:

--Ensure that written protocols for urgent 24/7 communication and for health alerts are adequate. For example, only one phone line goes into the county's emergency operations center, and that makes telephone communication there difficult, at best, officials said.

--Revise the strategic plan to ensure that its measures are clear;

--Ensure that enforcement activities and documentation are handled appropriately and quickly and that they be analyzed for trends and effectiveness.

--Demonstrate staff participation in quality improvement methods and tools training.

Bright disagreed with the last finding. During the review, there was significant changes in the ranks of workers, and one important position was vacant while much of the report was completed. The county has now replaced the missing employee.

Bright said the department should celebrate the report because it shows improvement.

Next, administrators need to begin collecting material for the next review.

They also need to focus on areas that can be improved.

"The document tells what we do," commented county Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines. "It tells what every citizen should expect from their local health jurisdiction."

She complimented Bright for putting together the data for the report and laying the way for the county to seek accreditation, which is a more detailed program.

However, the officials said, at some point in the future, accreditation may determine whether or not the health department qualifies for federal funding.