December - Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Volume VIII No. 12
December 15, 2003
2
YKHC Board of Directors
Unit 3
Billy Morgan
P.O. Box 72
Aniak, Alaska 99557
907-675-4457
Angela Morgan
P.O. Box 243
Aniak, Alaska 99557
907-675-4413
Unit 4
Fritz George
P.O. Box 62
Akiachak, Alaska 99551
907-825-4626
Moses Peter
P.O. Box 57
Tuluksak, Alaska 99679
907- 695-6420
Unit 1
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Unit 7
Unit 8
James R. Charlie, Sr.
P.O. Box 37012
Toksook Bay, Alaska 99637
907-427-7114
James Sipary
P.O. Box 37134
Toksook Bay, Alaska 99637
907- 427-7816
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Zecharia Chaliak
P.O. Box 169
Nunapitchuk, Alaska
907- 527-5045
Robert Enoch
P.O. Box 8054
Tuntutuliak, Alaska 99680
907-256-2529
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Unit 11
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Ray Alstrom
P.O. Box 8
Marshall, Alaska 99585
907-679-6320
James C. Landlord
P.O. Box 32168
Mt. Village, AK 99632
907-591-2119
Bill Kristovich
P.O. Box 1037
Bethel, Alaska 99559
907-543-4151/2212
Henry Hunter, Sr.
P.O. Box 632
Bethel, Alaska 99559
907-543-5130
Gloria Simeon
P.O. Box 308
Bethel, Alaska 99559
907-543-5676
Joseph C. Bavilla
P.O. Box 6011
Napaskiak, Alaska 99559
907-737-7062
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Unit 2
Unit 5
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Joe Mike
P.O. Box 20269
Kotlik, Alaska 99620
907-899-4756
Aaron S. Kameroff
P.O. Box 37
Alakanuk, Alaska 99554
907-238-3125
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Unit 9
Unit 11
Unit 10
Honorary Board Member
Reuben Hill
P.O. Box 210
Hooper Bay, Alaska 99604
H: 907-558-4096 - W: 558-4711
SEAT VACANT
Sam W. Alexie
P.O. Box 57
Eek, Alaska 99578
907-536-5428
Kathy W. Chase
P.O. Box 41
Holy Cross, Alaska 99602
H: 907-476-7162
907-453-5l28
Paul John
P.O. Box 37067
Toksook Bay, Alaska 99637
907-427-74l4
Numbers to Call
YKHC ......................................................................... 543-6000
Tribal & Program Support .......................................... 543-6030
Media Services............................................................ 543-6038
Office of Environmental Health & Engineering ......... 543-6420
Technology Help Desk................................................ 543-6070
Human Resources ....................................................... 543-6060
Job Line ................................................................... 543-6443
Corp. Training & Development .................................. 543-6095
Administration ............................................................ 543-6020
Hospital ....................................................................... 543-6300
Emergency Room........................................................ 543-6395
Hospital Community Relations................................... 543-6350
Social Services ............................................................ 543-6225
Clinic Appointments ................................................... 543-6442
1-800-478-3321
Dental Appointments .................................................. 543-6229
Optometry Appointments............................................ 543-6336
Audiology Appointments ............................................ 543-6466
Subregional Clinic Appointments
Aniak ....................................................................... 675-4556
Emmonak ................................................................ 949-3500
St. Mary’s ................................................................ 438-3500
Public Health Nurses....................................................543-2110
Pharmacy..................................................................... 543-6382
Travel Management Center......................................... 543-6360
WIC Program .............................................................. 543-6459
Health Services .......................................................... 543-6024
Village Operations ...................................................... 543-6160
CHAP ...................................................................... 543-6160
EMS......................................................................... 543-6080
Community Health & Wellness............................... 543-6190
Behavioral Health Services......................................... 543-6100
Phillips Ayagnirvik .................................................. 543-6700
Village Services....................................................... 543-6740
Home Care Services.................................................... 543-6170
Volume VIII No. 12 • December 15, 2003
3
New members join
Board of Directors
L
ongtime YKHC Board member Bill Kristovich
of Bethel was named Board Chair during the
Board’s annual meeting November 19 - 21. New
to the board are Kathy Chase of Holy Cross, James
Landlord of Mtn. Village and Aaron Kameroff of
YKHC Full Board of Directors. Front: Bill Kristovich, Billy Morgan, Paul John. Standing: Ray
Alakanuk. Reuben Hill of Hooper Bay and Sam Alstrom, Robert Enoch, Zecharia Chaliak, Joseph Bavilla, Henry Hunter, Sr., Fritz George,
Alexie of Eek return to the board, having served as Gloria Simeon, Kathy Chase, Angela Morgan, Reuben Hill, James Sipary, James Charlie, Sr.,
representatives from their districts in the 1990s.
Moses Peter, Sam W. Alexie. Not pictured: Joe Mike, Aaron S. Kameroff, James C. Landlord.
Kristovich has represented Bethel on YKHC’s (photo by Rose Henderson)
Board since 1992, chairing the Hospital Governing Body for a number of years as well as serving on the Executive Board and
several of different committees. (See sidebar: “A Message from Board Chair Bill
Kristovich”)
Board members are elected by the Tribal Council members in each of the vil- I want to thank the Board
lages represented in each election unit (see map, p. 2). A certain number of seats of Directors who elected me
become vacant each year. Nominations are accepted until September 1; eligibility Board Chair for their conis verified and ballots are sent to Tribal Council Members. Ballots are collected fidence in me. I will do my
by October 25 and counted. Results are announced at the November Full Board best to live up to their high
Meeting. YKHC’s Full Board meets twice a year, in November and in April.
standards and justify that conOfficers of YKHC’s Board comprise the Executive Board, which meets fidence. I would also like to
monthly. A Hospital Governing Body is also elected to oversee policy for the extend my thanks and appreYukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital. Seats on the Executive Board repre- ciation to past Chair Fritz
sent specific geographic areas of the YKHC service region.
George for all his hard work and able leadership.
Executive Board and committee membership for 2004 is as follows:
I look forward to working with President/CEO Gene
A Message from Board
Chair Bill Kristovich...
Executive Board
Bill Kristovich, Chair
Ray Alstrom, 1st Vice Chair
Robert Enoch, 2nd Vice Chair
Fritz George, Secretary
Billy Morgan, Treasurer
James Charlie Sr, Sgt.-At-Arms
Reuben Hill, 1st Additional Member
Henry Hunter, 2nd Additional Member
Paul John, Honorary Board Member
Gene Peltola, Ex-Officio
The Messenger is a monthly publication
produced by the Yukon-Kuskokwim
Health Corporation’s Tribal and Program Support Services Department
as a report to Tribal Members.
For questions, comments, submission of
articles, or subscription information, write to Messenger Editor, Media Services, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health
Corporation, P.O. Box 528, Bethel, Alaska 99559; or call
907-543-6035. E-mail: [email protected].
Deadline is the last day of the month preceding publication. Publication is on the 15th of every month. Anchorage Office: 4700 Business Park Blvd.
Suite E25, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.
907-677-2232. Please ask permission to
reprint articles or pictures. © 2003, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation.
Governing Body
Gloria Simeon, Chair
Joe Bavilla, Vice Chair
Kathy Chase, Secretary
Angela Morgan, Treasurer
Sam W. Alexie, Sgt.-At-Arms
James Sipary
Moses Peter
Zecharia Chaliak
Bill Kristovich
Gene Peltola, Ex-Officio
By-Law Committee
Joseph Bavilla
Reuben Hill
Billy Morgan
Ray Alstrom
Moses Peter
Aaron S. Kameroff
Henry Hunter
Policy Committee
James Charlie, Sr.
Gloria Simeon
Zecharia Chaliak
James Landlord
see COMMITTEES, p. 4
Peltola and the rest of the YKHC staff in the coming
year, continuing with all the projects that are underway
and seeing them through to completion.
Among these projects, a top priority for me is to see
that a nursing home is built in Bethel for our Elders,
located at the hospital. I’m very happy to have the
assisting living home project well underway as a transitional living option, but with the elder population
increasing, it’s a necessity for the nursing home project
to become a reality.
Thank you to all the YKHC employees, from the village
workers to the staff at corporate headquarters, for all
the hard work you do to make this such a good organization. I am proud to be a part of it and to be trusted to
serve YKHC as Board Chair.
A lot of improvement has been made over the years
and there’s more improvement to be made in the future.
With our dedicated Board of Directors and our strong
workforce, I am confident we will meet the challenge of
providing the best health care possible for the people
of our region.
To all the YKHC employees and the people of the YK
Delta—a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year!
4
Bethel City Council OKs land for assisted living home
O
n November 18, The Bethel City Council
voted to approve Ordinance 03-14, leasing the land next to the Lulu Herron Center to
YKHC for an assisted living home.
An assisted living home, which would
have a resident trained staff of personal care
attendants and nurses, would be a transitional
stage between independent living facilities for
Elders, such as the Lulu Herron Center, and a
nursing home.
The long term plan includes a first step of
constructing an assisted living center. Additional future steps include the addition of a
nursing home on the YKHC Regional Hospital campus.
“I would like to thank the City of Bethel
and the Bethel City Council for authorizing
the land lease agreement to build an assisted
living home,” said YKHC President/CEO
Gene Peltola, “Now we can roll up our sleeves
and move forward to make assisted living an
operational reality in our region.”
The proposed facility would accommodate
18 Elders, but would be built to allow future
expansion as the population of elders needing
the services is expected to increase.
YKHC currently provides ongoing homebased services to approximately 200 people
in 37 villages. These Elders receive assistance
with activities of daily living. Some could be
better served in a residential facility with 24hour supervision and assistance available.
The Bethel Assisted Living Steering Committee,—representing YKHC, AVCP HousFloor plan for proposed Assisted Living Home.
ing, AVCP Inc., City of Bethel, Calista Elders
Council, ONC, BNC, BCS, Alaska Legal Services, and Disability Law Center—has been studying the needs and quyana caqnek (thank you very much) to everyone who showed up in
options for an assisted living home for two years. A feasibility study record numbers to City Council chambers Nov. 18 to testify in supcommissioned by the group concluded, “Having a choice of settings port of the assisted living facility. The overwhelming support of the
within the region will enhance the quality of life for many people, region’s residents definitely had an impact on the City Council. Speallowing them the freedom and independence to choose where they cial thanks to Home Care Director Liz Lee for her efforts in moving
the project along and providing so much support for community
want to live, and to live the way they want.”
YKHC and the Steering Committee would like to extend a special involvement.
COMMITTEES, from p. 3
For a complete listing of Board Committee assignments visit our website—
www.ykhc.org/board
Joint AVCP/YKHC/Calista
Bill Kristovich
Ray Alstrom
Gene Peltola
Robert Enoch
Finance Committee
Ray Alstrom
Fritz George
Henry Hunter
Gloria Simeon
Angela Morgan
Robert Enoch
Joe Mike
Billy Morgan
Bill Kristovich, Ex-Officio
Board Appointments
Behavioral Health Advisory Board.........Joe Bavilla
Health Aide Advisory Board....................Sam W. Alexie
PA School Committee...............................Kathy W. Chase
Alaska Native Health Board....................Bill Kristovich
Alternate ............................Ray Alstrom
Home Care Liaison...................................James Sipary
AK. Native Tribal Health Consortium ...Bill Kristovich
Alternates...........................Ray Alstrom
Gene Peltola
Volume VIII No. 12 • December 15, 2003
Primary Care Center survey results in
by Mark Anaruk, Evaluation Coordinator
Y
K Delta residents may recall a one-page survey that appeared in each mailbox earlier
this spring. This survey, which asked Delta residents to rate their satisfaction with
“Primary Care Services,” was completed during the spring and summer of 2003. Results of
the survey show village clinics and sub-regional clinics earned high marks. The survey also
provided input on how YKHC can improve the walk-in clinic at the busy Bethel hospital.
YKHC leadership is already planning for a Primary Care Center facility to be located
somewhere near the current hospital campus.
Over the past five years, YKHC has worked hard to increase village-based services. The
Primary Care Survey shows that YKHC has made good strides to accomplish this goal. In
answer to the question, “Can you make a same-day appointment?” people said,
• Village Clinic, Yes – 89 percent
• Sub-Regional Clinic, Yes – 91 percent
• YK Delta Hospital, Yes – 36 percent
While the hospital’s 36 percent seems low, it supports the national trend in Primary Care
Services—where people go to a clinic rather than a hospital to receive outpatient care, such
as colds, sore throats and fevers, the hospital is used as the next level of care.
Although people will never be turned away from the YK Delta Hospital, an individual
can be seen more quickly and more comfortably in a village clinic or subregional clinic.
There, the patient can receive needed treatment and medication, and, if necessary, can be
referred to the hospital for greater specialized care. The problem in Bethel is that no such
primary care clinic exists.
The purpose of the Primary Care Survey was to ask residents their opinions on these
services as YKHC begins planning for a Primary Care Center in Bethel.
One major reason to build this facility is to address the wait times that people must
endure to be seen by a provider. YKHC realizes wait times are a problem, and a Primary
Care Center in Bethel would alleviate a lot of the waiting. It would also free up space in
the current hospital for another very important purpose—a Long Term Care facility for our
Elders that would be located in a wing of the current hospital.
Although funding for large building projects is more difficult to get, YKHC administration is working hard at finding the funds to meet these two areas of need in our region.
How would this Primary Care Center be funded? YKHC is researching this now. While
there is little funding available for Long Term Care facilities, if YKHC could secure funding for a Primary Care Center, that might be a way to bring a Long Term Care Facility to
Bethel in the near future.
5
Research project to study
diabetes and obesity
increase in Delta villages
by the Staff of CANHR and Elizabeth Ruppert, YKHC Research Coordinator
H
ave you been hearing about diabetes,
high blood pressure or heart disease
lately?
Data from the Alaska Area Diabetes Program suggest that, while the overall number
of people who have diabetes in the YK region
is less than in other parts of the state, the numbers have nearly doubled in the last decade.
Why is diabetes increasing at this rate?
A recent report by the Alaska Department
of Health and Social Services found that
nearly 80 percent of people with diabetes are
overweight and that an excess weight gain of
between 11-18 pounds can double a person’s
risk of getting diabetes.
How does the influence of store-bought
foods affect a person’s health and weight?
What does it mean to be healthy and well
for Yup’ik and Cup’ik individuals in the YK
Delta?
How much of a person’s risk of illness
is inherited or passed down through their
genes?
What behaviors and foods best fit Yup’ik
and Cup’ik individuals to protect them from
overweight, diabetes, and heart disease?
The Center for Alaska Native Health
see STUDY, p. 11
Other results from the Primary Care Survey
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Figure 1: Delta Residents’ Most Important Service Needs
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Figure 2: Delta Residents’ Most Important Health Concerns
6
Kongiganak hosts health fair
Story and photos by Carl Evans
T
here was a health fair in Kongiganak on Saturday, the 8th of November, 2003,
co-sponsored by YKHC Village Operations and Health Education. Julia Brown,
Health Educator based in Kongiganak, did an amazing job of getting the word out
and arranging and translating at our meeting with the village leaders who were very
supportive.
Doyle Horton, principal at Kongiganak, provided the logistical support without
which the event could not have taken place. A place to sleep was provided for the
presenters who arrived early and the school kitchen provided a delicious casserole
and dessert for the community potluck on Friday and cake and drinks for the health
fair.
Health education classes for junior high and high
school boys and girls were conducted by Deborah
Burnard, Andrea Savage, Leif Albertson and Carl
Evans Friday morning at the school. On Friday
afternoon and Saturday morning, Dolly Phillip,
CHP, and Stephanie John, CHA, helped with the
health screenings, flu shots and immunizations at
the clinic.
Health Educator Julia Brown
handled registration and most
of the organizing.
Diabetes Educator Meera Ramesh explains things to
a local family.
Injury Prevention Specialist Tony Olick irons reflective
tape on coats.
There was a community potluck Friday evening and a heart-felt presentation by
Oscar Active, YKHC Behavioral Health Field Supervisor, on “Substance Abuse in the
Family and Making Health Choices.”
It was great to have the following organizations outside of YKHC provide their
expertise at the health fair: Public Health (Jan Schneider and Leif Albertson); Bethel
Community Services (Scott Sidel); Tundra Women’s Coalition (Zach Fansler and
Sirena Soots); Bethel AIDS Task Force (Leif Albertson).
YKHC was represented by Injury Prevention (Tony Olick); WIC (Viola Evan); Diabetes Prevention and Control (Meera Ramesh); Immunizations (Deborah Burnard);
Circle of Care HIV Project (Andrea Savage and Carl Evans); Suicide Prevention
(Edward Demoss); Medicaid (Mary Boan and Jennifer Tunuchuk) and Inhalant Education (Gladys Johnson).
Bill O’Brien: EMS Instructor of theYear
by John Dickens
For the second year in a row,
a YKHC employee has won a
statewide EMS (Emergency Medical
Services) award.
On November 15, 2003 YKHC’s own Bill O’Brien was given the EMS Instructor
of the Year award. This award was given in recognition of O’Brien’s 13 years
of service in EMS instruction. The following are excerpts from nomination letters...
“As a member of the State EMS training committee, he has worked hard to
improve the curriculum and questions of the EMT certifications tests, while ensuring that YKHC and the YK Delta region maintain close liaisons with all the other
EMS organizations through out Alaska.
“Bill is the most senior instructor [in the YK Delta] and as such he has become
the ‘institutional memory’ of EMS for the entire YK Delta. He has a working
knowledge of every single ETT/EMT in the area. He has developed close relationships with the Certified Health Aides, most of whom are Alaskan native and he
has developed keen insights in how to explain crucial EMS concepts to people for
whom English is a second language.
Volume VIII No. 12 • December 15, 2003
7
LPN Program graduates 6 nurses
from the YKHC Learning Center
S
ix YK Delta students completed their Licensed Practical Nursing Program and
received a certificate and LPN pins from the University of Alaska Anchorage on
December 1, 2002.
A ceremony to celebrate this occasion was held on December 1, 2003, at 7 p.m. at the
Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel. The students also attended the UAA ceremonies on December 13,
2003, held in Anchorage
at the University of Alaska
Anchorage campus.
The graduating students
are: Roy A. Alexie,Bethel;
Alexandra S. Active,
Kipnuk; Jeanne Santacrose
Franklin, Bethel; Fannie
Hernandez,
Quinhagak;
Dorothy L. Tuluk, Chevak;
Shirley Walters, Mountain
Village.
The Licensed Practical
Nursing Program began
in January, 2003, and LPN program graduates. From left: Roy Alexie, Jeanne
was administered by the Santacrose Franklin, Shirley Walters, Instructor Pam Butcher,
YKHC Learning Center Dorothy Tuluk, Alexandra Active, and Fannie Hernandez.
staff—Evelyn Pensgard,
Training Manager; Clyde Smith, Department Secretary; and Frieda James of Finance.
Pamela Butcher was the RN Instructor for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Pam
was not only their instructor but also their mentor, friend and confidante. The program
was funded by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Additional student financial support was provided by the Alaska Job Center Network and
AVCP, Inc.
The students will take the national exam sometime within the next several months. In
the meantime, several of the students are seeking employment with YKHC as Licensed
Practical Nurses.
“Bill is a very competent and dedicated professional instructor who mentors junior instructors,
helping them to ensure that all the skills and
concepts are taught correctly and that both the
students and instructors can meet their obligations as required by statute. He provides priceless leadership and coaching for all EMS people
in our area with his emphasis on preparation and
mastering skills along with a firm insistence
on maintaining standards. He has been the
“Bedrock of EMS” for both YKHC and the YK
Delta.”
— John Armand Dickens, Emt3/FF1 YKHC
Bill O’Brien accepts the EMS Instructor
ICEMS/Bethel Fire Dept.
see INSTRUCTOR, p. 11
of the Year Award at the EMS Symposium
in November.
April Kameroff at work in the Aniak Subregional
Clinic Laboratory.
ASRC lab assistant
represents program at
Washington symposium
April Kameroff, a laboratory assistant at the
Aniak Sub-Regional Clinic traveled to Olympia
Washington to attend the Northwest Medical
Laboratory Symposium from October 21 to 23,
2003. She was requested to attend as a student
representative for the University of Alaska
– Anchorage laboratory program.
She attended workshops, met other laboratory workers and visited with the Alaska State
President of the Clinical Laboratory Student
Association.
While at the symposium she was able to meet
with vendors, review new chemistry analyzers that the Bethel hospital will be using, and
attend demonstrations of other analyzers. Some
of the workshops that April attended included
Iron Metabolism and Associated Anemias, Antimicrobial Drug Resistance and Susceptibility
Testing, Updates in Cardiac Testing and Basic
Coagulation Review.
April graduated from the Aniak High School
and is currently employed at the Aniak SubRegional Clinic as a laboratory assistant and
taking University of Alaska classes to become a
Medical Laboratory Technologist.
Visit Us On The Web...
www.ykhc.org
8
Radio ads tout tobacco free living
Story and photos by Caroline Nevak, Tobacco Education Specialist. YKHC
Nicotine Control and Research Program
I
n November, the YKHC Nicotine Control Department launched a multitude of
new radio ads as part of an on-going anti-tobacco mass media campaign in the
YK Delta.
These radio ads were designed and presented to inform people about the risks
of tobacco use and to motivate them to stop tobacco for life.
On November 24, Carrie Enoch, Nicotine Control and Research Program
Senior Counselor, and I joined Nick Ayapan of Kwethluk and Donna Pleasant of
Tuntutuliak to record public service annoucements (PSAs) at KYUK Radio Station in Bethel. Ayapan quit tobacco with the help of YKHC’s Nicotine Cessation
Program and was eager to share his success story. The ads were recorded in both Carrie Enoch and Nick Ayapan at KYUK in Bethel.
Yup’ik and English. Carrie Enoch also recorded a PSA on the harmful effects of
secondhand smoke or ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) in Yup’ik.
Donna Pleasant was also eager to share her success story. She recorded her announcement
in both Yup’ik and English, documenting her long-time tobacco use. She shared her struggle
with tobacco, and how she came to YKHC’s Nicotine Dependence Treatment Program to get
help. Through the program, she was able to become tobacco free. Donna is also our current
poster model. Donna’s posters and story have been distributed throughout the Delta and can
Donna Pleasant records an anti-tobacco PSA
at KYUK.
be seen in numerous locations around the hospital and other YKHC facilities.
The radio spots recorded this year are
broadcast Delta-wide on KYUK. Since June
4, 2003, our ads have played eight times a day
on week days and four times on weekends! As
a result of so many ads being broadcast, and
with so much print media documenting real
people and their success stories right here in
the YK Delta, the YKHC Nicotine Control and
Research Staff have been very busy with lots
of referrals from providers in the hospital clinics as well as referrals from Village Clinics.
The challenges we encounter to help people
stop using tobacco are present everywhere.
The Delta still has a high percentage of
tobacco users and there are a lot of people,
young and old, who are exposed to second
hand smoke. Do your part, and contact the
professionals at YKHC Nicotine Control and
Research Program. We want to help you quit
and can provide safe medications and confidential counseling to get you on the right track
to a healthier lifestyle!
If you are interested in stopping
tobacco use, please call YKHC
Nicotine Control Department, toll
free at: 1-800- 478-3321
or locally at 543-6312.
Volume VIII No. 12 • December 15, 2003
9
We need your consent...
When you are registering for an appointment in the clinics
or the Emergency Department, are you being asked if it’s
all right to tell callers that you are in the facility? Do you
wonder why you are being asked?
T
he information that we can release, with the patient’s consent, is referred to as
directory information. It is limited information about you and your whereabouts
in the facility. If you don’t want YKHC to tell anyone—other than your providers—that you are in the facility and being seen, or you want only certain people to
be told, that is your right.
The next time you register, know that you can restrict who we communicate
besides those who provide your care. You can give consent, not give consent, or
restrict whom you want us to speak with (i.e. your mother, your wife, not your
brother, etc).
In accordance with Federal Regulation 45 CFR 164.510 of the Privacy Rule, with
your consent, when you register as a patient at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, the following directory information is permitted to be released to members
of the public calling to inquire about you by name. You have a right to object or
restrict who receives this information.
1. Confirm your name—that you have arrived and registered (yes or no answer)
2. You have been evaluated (yes or no answer)
3. Your location within the Corporation (ER, North Wing, Clinic—but not a specific room)
4. Your condition:
Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits; patient is conscious and
comfortable; indicators are excellent.
Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits; patient is conscious and
comfortable.
Serious/Guarded: Vital signs are unstable, and not within normal limits; patient
is ill; indicators are questionable.
Critical: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits; patient be may
be unconscious; indicators are unfavorable.
Treated and Released: You have been seen by a provider, treated and discharged.
Death is not a condition and will not be communicated to the public.
5. Your religious affiliation—only released to the clergy.
6. Behavioral Health related information will not be released.
Under the additional protection of CFR 42, Part 2, the release of directory information does not apply to any of the Behavioral Health related facilities.
to access
Behavioral Health Services
for adults and children call
1-800-478–2642
in Bethel: 907-543–6100
Getting Pharmacy
Refills at YKHC
T
he staff at the YK pharmacy would like to say
hello and send out a friendly reminder about the
best way to get your refillable prescriptions.
Please, don’t wait until your medicine has run out
to ask for a refill. This compromises your health and
causes increased worry, questions and wait times.
Also, look at your bottle before calling and asking
for a refill. The bottle will tell you if there are any
refills remaining on your prescription. The right side
of your prescription label should say MR x #. This
tells you the “#” of refills remaining. If there are “0”
refills remaining, the pharmacy cannot refill that prescription. You will need to contact your provider to
get a new prescription written for that medication.
Bethel patients Plan on refilling your prescription
when you have about a week’s supply remaining.
Call the Bethel refill line at 543-6271 and leave your
message requesting your refills. Your prescription
will be filled and ready for you to pick up in 24 to
48 hours.
Village patients Remember, it takes time to send
your prescriptions out to the village. When you have
7 to 10 days worth of medication left, call your village heath aide to see if he/she has any of your prescriptions there. If your medication isn’t there, have
the health aide call and request a refill. Or, you can
call the refill line at 543-6444 or 1-800-478-3321 ext
6382. It can take up to 7 days to process and mail out
village prescriptions. Please plan ahead.
Visit the Pharmacy Corner in the
next issue of The Messenger for
information regarding the difference
between brand and generic
medications.
Happy holidays
and best wishes for
good health from the
pharmacy staff.
10
by Deborah Burnard, RN, Immunization Program Case Manager
What is Hib?
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a
bacterium that causes serious disease in young
children throughout the world.
Answer True or False:
Hib causes one-third to one-half of all cases of bacterial meningitis
in infants and children less than five years old.
Answer: True.
It also is responsible for up to one out of four cases of severe pneumonia in young children. Hib can also cause infections of the blood,
joints, bones throat, soft tissues and the covering of the heart.
Hib bacteria live in the nose and throat area.
Answer: True
Like measles, Hib bacteria are passed from child to child in droplets of saliva when an infected child coughs or sneezes. Hib is also
spread when children share toys and other objects that they have
put in their mouths.
Children often carry the Hib bacteria without showing any signs
or symptoms.
Answer: True
A child can have Hib bacteria in their bodies and not be sick, but
they can still infect other children.
Haemophilus influenzae type B does not cause the flu.
Answer: True
Although it sounds almost the same as “influenza,” Hib does not
cause influenza (the “flu”) or the common cold.
Hib is not the same as HIV.
Answer: True
Hib is not the same as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. A child
cannot get HIV or AIDS from having the Hib vaccine.
There are many types of Haemophilus influenzae.
Answer: True
There are actually six types of Haemophilus influenzae (A, B, C,
D, E, and F), but Haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria account
for over 90% of serious Haemophilus influenzae infections in children. The only vaccine currently available against Haemophilus
influenzae is for type B, or Hib.
continued on next page
Use Power of Attorney form when children are in someone else’s care
D
id you know that, according to Alaska
Law, unless you have a notarized legal
document giving someone temporary power
of attorney, if you leave your children in
the care of another adult, they cannot act in
your place when it comes to non-emergency
medical and other issues? If you are raising a
child that you do not have court documented
legal custody of, by law you are not the legal
custodian of the child. The parent is still
the legal custodian and permission must be
obtained from them.
Did you know that if you do not have this
legal document in place that any medical
treatment other than life-threatening situations could be delayed while proper officials
try to make contact with you to give permission for treatment?
The law states that unless the person who
has custody of the child gives written or
verbal consent, except in life-threatening
situations, the temporary caregiver cannot
legally authorize routine medical care for
your child. If you are away and your child
needs routine medical treatment, medical
personnel will have to find you first for over-
the-phone verbal or faxed written consent for
treatment. If your child is involved in a lifethreatening situation, medical personnel will
act appropriately to care for your child while
someone tries to make contact with you.
Non-emergent refers to anything other
than life-threatening; i.e. routine check-ups
or immunizations, getting copies of medical
records for you or another provider, etc. If
your child is in a life-threatening situation,
they will be cared for immediately while
someone tries to make contact with you. So
remember to always leave contact numbers
with those caring for your children.
YKHC has adopted the form, Special
Power of Attorney for Temporary Custody
and Care of a Minor (Special POA) created
by the State of Alaska to help both you—our
patients and patient families—and us as your
providers. Having this form filled out, notarized, and left with the people caring for your
children will ensure that in your absence your
child will be able to receive routine, nonemergent care without having to locate you
for approval.
As the name states, this is a temporary
custody form. You have the option of putting
end dates on the form or revoking it at any
time. If you revoke the Special POA or have
an end date, remember that you must fill out a
new one when you leave your children in that
person’s care again.
The person(s) named in this document to
care for your children in your absence should
keep it available at all times. If they have to
take the child/children for medical treatment
this form must be presented. A copy will be
put in the child’s medical file.
The form is detailed and looks more complicated than it really is. We have created a
brochure that contains step-by-step instructions in filling it out. The forms and instructions will be made available to you through
the Registration department in Bethel, all
Sub-Regional Clinics and Village Clinics, the
Emergency Room in Bethel, and at Customer
Relations.
If you need help filling out the document
please give us a call. You can call the Privacy
Officer at 543-6995, General Counsel at 5436032, Associate General Counsel at 6931, or
the Compliance Administrator at 543-6361.
Volume VIII No. 12 • December 15, 2003
11
Hib disease is most common in children under five years old.
Answer: True
Children between the ages of four months and 12 months of age are
most at risk. It is important to immunize children and prevent disease very early in life. Hib disease usually does not affect adults.
At birth, antibodies from the mother sufficiently protect most
infants against Hib.
Answer: True
But when the child reaches two or three months of age, the level
of antibodies from the mother falls, and the risk of Hib infections
increase.
By age five, children usually develop their own immunity against
Hib.
Answer: True
Hib disease is rare after age five, and the vaccine is not given to
older children and adults.
Can disease caused by Hib be treated?
Answer: True and False
Treatment for Hib disease if not always effective because some
strains of Hib may be resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance
is a serious problem and is increasing every day. Hib immunization
is more effective and less costly than treatment for the disease.
The Hib vaccine is highly effective.
Answer: True
The World Health Organization estimates that 450,000 unvaccinated children die each year of Hib disease. Before we started vaccinating in the Y-K Delta, there were 80 cases of Hib meningitis a
year, some resulting in death. Since we started vaccinating children
with the Hib vaccine, we have had only one case of Hib meningitis in two years. Full Hib immunization (three doses of vaccine)
reduces the risk of Hib disease in young children by more than 90
percent.
INSTRUCTOR, from p. 7
“Bill O’Brien is consistent, dedicated and dependable. Bill is a fine
example of how to balance the many complexities life often brings.
Bill is as solid as rock, his word is his bond; he is a moral and ethical
man who is a delight to be associated with both on and off duty.
“Since I became Director of Injury Control and EMS for YKHC.
I have relied extensively on Bill as an advisor on EMS matters, a
sounding board to evaluate new ideas about injury control and EMS
and as a wise and witty friend. He stands up for us and he stands up to
us. He is always there for myself and all of our department and Corporation, helping us by both word and deed meet our obligations as a
regional EMS office and a Nonprofit Native Health Corporation, that
employs about 40 paercent of all the Certified Health Aides in Alaska.
I am continually amazed by his knowledge of EMS and his compassion for the people of the YK Delta and Alaska as a whole.”
—Thomas Fazzini,Injury Control/Emergency Medical Services
Director
Congratulations, Bill O’Brien,
EMS Instructor of the Year!
Please call your village health clinic
and make an appointment to get any
immunizations your child needs...
In Bethel, you can make an appointment
by calling 543-6442.
For questions and/or concerns, or if you have a hard
time making an appointment at the clinic, please
call the Immunization Program at
907-543-6437 or 1-800-478-4471.
STUDY, from p. 5
Research (CANHR) will be doing a study on health and wellness in
six villages in the Y-K Delta to answer these questions and others. To
protect the privacy of study participants, the names of the villages are
not being published.
The study will look at a range of factors that influence conditions
such as diabetes, heart disease and being overweight. Researchers
are interested in understanding important factors that contribute to
a person’s health by gaining an understanding of cultural aspects of
health, local diet and nutrition, and genetics (what’s passed down
through families).
CANHR researchers have spent the last year visiting each of the
participating villages, meeting with traditional councils, and talking
with community members about various parts of the study. Each of
the participating village traditional councils has approved participation in the research study. Residents from participating villages are
working as local Field Research Assistants (FRAs) to assist CANHR
researchers in the planning and implementation of research projects.
In August, the FRAs met in Bethel to receive an orientation and training.
There will be a week-long health fair where those individuals who
have consented to participate in the study will be asked to complete
dietary recalls, diet and activity questionnaires, a wellness measure
questionnaire, medical history and screening questionnaires. Additionally, they will have their body composition analyzed by the collection of measurements such as height, weight, waist, hip, and thigh
widths. Finally, a small sample of blood will be drawn. Participants
will receive immediate feedback about their cholesterol and glucose
levels, their physical measurements, and the nutritional value of the
foods they report eating.
For any questions regarding this research project, you can call Elizabeth Ruppert, YKHC Research Coordinator at 543-6997 in Bethel or
Nick Hubalik, Field Research Coordinator, or Gerald Mohatt, Center
Director, at the CANHR Office, UAF, at (888) 470-5576.
CANHR was established through a five-year grant awarded by the
National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources
to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The funding comes through a
program for Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE).
This project has been and is being developed in partnership with the
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and with the traditional or IRA councils in six villages.
Volume VIII No. 12 • December 15, 2003
Look Who’s Coming to Your Village will return next month...
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
P.O. Box 528
Bethel, Alaska 99559
907-543-6000
Non -Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Anchorage, AK
Permit # 537