A life-and-death call

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment
Photo of Jennifer Brown and Shane Write, communications specialists.
Communications specialists Jennifer Brown and Shane Wright are shown in the dispatch center at the Idaho State EMS Communications Center.

Communication specialists Jennifer Brown and Shane Wright at the Idaho State EMS Communications Center were extremely busy one January morning as they managed the work associated with a major snow storm that snarled up traffic and made travel difficult around the state.

They were dispatching snowplows, deicers and sanding trucks statewide, as well as relaying reports of vehicle slide-offs and crashes to law enforcement. They also were getting ready to announce the closure of Idaho 21 in what’s commonly called “avalanche alley.”

But just then, an urgent call came in from the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. It was an Emergency Medical Dispatch, which meant someone was having a medical emergency on the end of that call. State EMS communication specialists are trained to use predetermined medical protocols to dispatch correct resources to an emergency and to give medical instructions to victims and bystanders before first responders arrive and take over. Continue reading “A life-and-death call” →

Child welfare: It’s a team effort

On By idhwmediaIn Family and Community Services1 Comment

Protecting children from abuse and neglect, healing and reuniting families, and searching for forever homes for children is what our child welfare program does. Based on recent stories in the media and a buzz on social media, you may have heard different opinions about that. But keeping children safe and families together is the main reason so many of us come to work each day. And Health and Welfare employees are not alone in this effort.

Foster parents have a huge role in the lives of children in crisis. So do the courts. And so do the guardians ad litem, prosecutors, the schools and law enforcement.

Protecting children and keeping them safe is a team effort. None of us can safely protect and nurture these children on our own. We need the help and support of each other. Without that, the system becomes dysfunctional. Each of us has to do our part, and rely on our partners to do the same. It needs to be a very collaborative process to succeed. Continue reading “Child welfare: It’s a team effort” →

Oregon confirms its first travel-associated case of Zika virus this year

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

The Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division has confirmed that a person in Oregon has been diagnosed with a travel-associated Zika virus infection. The adult woman contracted the virus in an affected country outside the United States and has recovered. There is no danger to the public.

This is the first laboratory-confirmed case of Zika in Oregon in 2016. Before this, three Oregonians have had travel-associated Zika confirmed since 2014. Oregon is first of Idaho’s neighboring states to report a Zika case this year.  Continue reading “Oregon confirms its first travel-associated case of Zika virus this year” →

Medicaid survey of supported living services providers will begin in mid-February

On By idhwmediaIn MedicaidLeave a comment

Medicaid’s cost survey of providers for supported living services will begin soon. This survey is for providers who offer up to 24-hour support to qualified participants with developmental disabilities so they can live in their communities rather than in an institution.

We have received a number of questions about the survey and how it will be conducted. The framework of the study is set by Idaho state regulations, which you can find here (page 27, section 037).  Continue reading “Medicaid survey of supported living services providers will begin in mid-February” →

What you need to know about the Zika virus

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Pregnant women and anyone else planning to travel someplace warm and tropical this winter should check travel advisories to see if their destination is included in a list of countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific islands. Several countries are experiencing an outbreak of Zika virus, which is a concern among public health officials.

What is Zika virus?

It is a virus transmitted through the bite of the same kind of mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya viruses. This mosquito species is fairly common throughout the world, so outbreaks are likely to continue. People not planning a trip to one of the countries listed in the travel advisory can rest easy: The mosquito that spreads the virus is not found in Idaho.  Continue reading “What you need to know about the Zika virus” →

Director Armstrong to present PCAP proposal to H&W committees

On By idhwmediaIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Department of Health and Welfare Director Richard Armstrong will present the proposal for the Primary Care Access Program to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee this afternoon in room WW54 of the Statehouse. The meeting starts at 3 p.m., and Armstrong is expected to give his presentation at about 3:30.

He’ll also present the proposal to the House Health and Welfare Committee at 9 a.m. Wednesday in room EW20.

See his presentation slides here.

 

 

Getting screened for cervical cancer is most effective way to find it early

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health1 Comment

Cervical cancer is not an easy subject to discuss, but getting screened regularly for it is important for all women because that is the most effective way to find the disease early so it can be treated. It is highly treatable when it is found early enough, and it’s associated with long survival and good quality of life.

Who does cervical cancer affect?

Cervical cancer most often affects women over the age of 30. About 12,900 women will be  diagnosed with cervical cancer this year in the United States and about 4,000 women will die from the disease. In Idaho, there are an average of 44 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year, and an average of 14 women die of the disease.  Continue reading “Getting screened for cervical cancer is most effective way to find it early” →

Opinion: PCAP could be a great start toward keeping more Idahoans healthy

On By idhwmediaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

By Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter

I’ve read and watched with interest in recent days as legislators, healthcare providers, community leaders, columnists, editorial boards and citizens have reacted to the Primary Care Access Plan that I unveiled January 7th.

Responses have run the gamut from “It’s not enough – just expand Medicaid” to “We shouldn’t do anything but focus on repealing Obamacare.”

Despite what seems to be an immutable impasse, it certainly is a conversation worth having, and I’m glad we are having it. But critics seem to be missing the point of the proposal that Director Dick Armstrong and his team at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare crafted specifically for Idaho. The fact is that the PCAP option – or something very much like it – is all that we can reasonably hope to achieve right now in the context of Idaho’s political environment.  Continue reading “Opinion: PCAP could be a great start toward keeping more Idahoans healthy” →

Idaho Medicaid to conduct cost survey with providers of supported living services

On By idhwmediaIn MedicaidLeave a comment

Idaho Medicaid announced today that it will work with providers to conduct a cost survey to evaluate the rates paid to providers of supported living services. During the survey period, Medicaid will pay temporary rates that will go into effect Feb. 1.

These changes do not affect all Medicaid providers, only those who provide community-based supported living services to qualified participants with developmental disabilities.

Supported Living services allow adults with developmental disabilities who choose to live in their own homes up to 24-hour support for personal care, supervision, and to receive help building skills needed to become more independent.

Medicaid had originally announced reinstatement of an approved rate schedule after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that upheld the state’s ability to set reimbursement rates for Medicaid services. Service providers objected and said those rates would be too low, with several suggesting they would no longer participate in the program.  Continue reading “Idaho Medicaid to conduct cost survey with providers of supported living services” →

High radon levels can put your health at risk

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Nearly 40 percent of Idaho homes tested for radon showed unsafe levels, which can cause serious illness for people. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It is a naturally occurring gas that you can’t see, smell or taste.

“Radon is definitely a big problem because it’s so prevalent,” said Jim Faust, Radon Program manager at the Department of Health and Welfare. “The good news is that it is a fixable problem. Every home in Idaho should be tested so we can protect ourselves and our families.”  Continue reading “High radon levels can put your health at risk” →