Update for Week ending
October 24, 2009
President Obama Signs H1N1 Emergency Declaration. On Friday evening, President Obama declared a national emergency due to the rapid increase in H1N1 (swine) flu illness. The declaration allows medical treatment facilities, if needed, to handle a surge in patients while increasing the federal government’s ability to assist states with equipment and services to treat patients with H1N1 flu. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) says this declaration would allow waivers from administrative and legal impediments for hospitals and health systems to implement emergency plans such as off-site screening locations, facility transfers, and longer length of stays/higher patient census for critical access hospitals. CDC officials commented that more H1N1 vaccine is on its way, but that they are behind in production of the vaccine. Alaska and 45 other states report widespread flu activity according to the CDC.
The CDC reminds us all of the following flu prevention activities:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). Read detailed information about how long to stay away from others.
For more information on the H1N1 Flu, go to www.flu.gov.
Klukwan Traditional Knowledge Camps. As the days get shorter and rainier, the Traditional Knowledge camps move away from subsistence food hunting and gathering to traditional arts. Here are two highlights (we hope to have photos up on the website soon) of the current activities:
- Jennie Wheeler from Yakutat taught a skin sewing class with 10 participants. They all made moccasins.
- The Subsistence Robe - The last few rows of weaving were put on the robe. They will take it off the loom to block it and put the fur trim and cones on it and then have a small celebration next Friday, Oct 30th to present it to the community.
CHAP Recognizes John Everson. This week one of our staff members was recognized by peers around the state for his ongoing contributions to the Community Health Aide/Practitioner training program. During the CHAP Instructors Convocation in Anchorage this week, SEARHC’s John Everson received an Appreciation award from the CHAP Program Field and Training Center staff "In Recognition of Your Many Contributions to the Community Health Aide Program." John leads our Community Health Aide Training Center in Sitka.
Mobile Mammography on POW. Our partnership with Bartlett Regional Hospital on mobile mammography services has had great success on Prince of Wales Island (POW). Below is the latest update on the POW mobile mammography numbers that includes the Mobile Mammography visit to Craig this week.
- 171 women screened, which includes all patients.
- 153 SEARHC beneficiaries and CDC grant-funded women screened in all.
Boys and Girls Clubs Need Assistance. Many of us have watched the news and received requests from our Boys and Girls Clubs across the region. Many of these clubs are seeking financial and volunteer assistance with the loss of a significant federal grant. Juneau Youth Services is temporarily assisting with operations of the Juneau Valley location. The Valley Youth Center confirmed that the organization is looking for volunteers to come in from 2:30 – 6 p.m. to help children with homework, prepare snacks, and peer bonding. The Juneau Valley Youth Center’s number is 790 – 4535.
Just a reminder. . . SEARHC frequently brings in traveling medical specialists to hold specialty clinics at its various facilities, saving you the expense and inconvenience of flying to Anchorage or Seattle for services not available in Southeast. Some SEARHC medical providers who work at larger facilities make regular trips to our village clinics to provide specialty services that aren't normally available in those communities. All specialty clinics, except for medical field trips and specified dental clinics, must be referred through a SEARHC provider (no self-referrals). Links to our upcoming specialty clinic schedules are at http://www.searhc.org/common/pages/specialtyclinics/index.php.
Regards,
Roald.
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SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium