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Norwalk
Health Department
Board of Health Actions
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Monthly Meeting
Minutes
September 8, 2008
8:00 AM
Library
Call to order at 8:05 AM
Present: Board of Health – Ken Lalime, RPH, John McNamara, MD, Sheldon Miller, Theresa Quell, PhD, RN, and Edward Tracey, MD
Staff – Tim Callahan, Director of Health, David Reed, MD, Medical Director, and Tom Closter, Director of Environmental Health, Rhonda Collins, Health Educator
Lighthouse Program
Several mock-ups of the certificate were presented and discussed. Recommendations were made as follows: enlarge the warding “Norwalk Health Department”, include a time frame for the certificate, include wording along the lines of “met highest standards for sanitation”, change the water color to blue. The Board agreed to make the time period 1 year or 4 consecutive inspections and to begin the program on October 1, 2008.
There are 3 tattoo parlors operating in Norwalk. Per Connecticut Public Health Code each establishment is required to annually have a licensed physician inspect the facility for sanitation and to monitor the tattoo artists for competency. A written copy of the physician’s report must be made available upon request to the State or local health department. The establishments in Norwalk are not in compliance with the CT Public Health Code. The Board discussed this matter and decided the risk of the spread of disease is great enough to merit closer monitoring by the Norwalk Health Department. Mr. Callahan will follow up to determine the most expedient course of action that will enable the Department to license and inspect tattoo establishments.
Dr Reed reported on a change in procedures for chest x-rays for patients with positiveskin
tests. The radiology practice at 148 East Avenue was sold and the new owners have instructed the Health Department staff to send patients to Norwalk Hospital. Dr Reed met with the owners to express his reservations and concerns which include the potential for losing patients in transit, the additional time required to complete the work up and the inconvenience and potential cost in lost wages to patients. Dr Richmond, the physician in charge of the practice told Dr Reed to try this new arrangement for 1 year and document difficulties. The Board recommended looking for alternatives. During the interim the Health Department will provide transportation via cabs and incur the expense. The Board also asked that a letter be sent from them to Dr Richmond expressing their concern for this very poor public health practice.
Darleen Hoffler, Supervisor of Clinical Services presented the results of surveys of flu clinic patients. The most important factor in deciding where to get a flu shot was convenience. Most people said they received the flu shot from their doctor. The majority indicated they would attend a mass clinic if their wait time were short. Based on the findings the Health Department clinics will not utilize appointments but will focus on getting people through in 10 minutes. Seven community clinks are scheduled starting on September 29th.
The EAP program provides services to City and Norwalk Public School employees. The Health Department is responsible for the administration of this program. For the past several years the EAP and Senior Caseworker Program were combined and there were sufficient funds to employ one full time person. The grant, which funds the Senior Caseworker Program, was not renewed and the funding ends on September 30, 2008. The cost for a full time in house EAP program is nearly $35 per covered employee. Outsourcing will cost between $12 and $20 per covered employee. The process to outsource this function is underway with January 2009 date fro changing over.
Adjourn 9:45 AM
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