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Communication, Disease Reporting and Collaboration. Brigid O’Connor Lake County Health Department Flathead Reservation and Lake County TERC/LEPC. Lake County: Who we are. 26,000 residents 25% Native American (approximately) 80% rural population “Open Reservation”
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Communication, Disease Reporting and Collaboration Brigid O’Connor Lake County Health Department Flathead Reservationand Lake County TERC/LEPC
Lake County: Who we are • 26,000 residents • 25% Native American (approximately) • 80% rural population • “Open Reservation” • Polson with 4,041 residents—largest community • Salish Kootenai College • Largest Employers: 1: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes 2: Lake County
Internal: Develop a comprehensive Communicable Disease program in the Lake County Health DepartmentExternal: Partner PH with local disaster responders through the TERC/LEPC Create/foster regional PH connections. Goals
Develop Communicable Disease Position within Health Department • Part time position to be primary CD contact for Health Dept. and PH Emergency Preparedness Coordinator • Improve communication between HD and local medical providers • Build on the current team-work between LCHD and Tribal Health
Question Does your Health Department have a Communicable Disease position supported by local funding? A. Totally funded B. More than 50% local funding C. Less than 50% local funding D. No local funding
Improve Communication Between HD and Local Medical Providers • Develop relationship betweenproviders and HD • Offer useable information to them regularly • Expect information from them HD Providers • Be a conduit for info from other sources directly to providers • Identify how to best get infoto the NURSES!
TERC/LEPC • TERC began in 1990 • 1995 TERC/LEPC meeting monthly • Spring 1996 Epi-Team created • Autumn 2001 Health Subgroup of the TERC/LEPC born • Early autumn 2002 CDC Emerg. Prep. Grants • Late autumn 2002 Health Subgroup expanded • Tribal/County Charter
Strengthen Regional Communication • Send Communicable Disease notes to both providers and neighboring Health Departments • Coordinate on significant press releases • Collaborate on deliverables • Share plans and templates
Challenges • Policy issues • Jurisdictional issues • Meshing DES and PH
Successes • Strengthenedcoordination between LCHD and THHS • Established valued advisory group—Health Subgroup of the TERC/LEPC • Managed Communicable Disease events as a team • Assured a Public Health position in the TERC/LEPC Charter • One joint PHERP • One DES Response Plan