2015 Accomplishments

Mark Refowitz, DirectorHealth Care Agency

For many of us, the start of a new year is a time to think about the future and make resolutions. I’d like to take this opportunity to do just the opposite – reflect back on the many notable accomplishments achieved by the Health Care Agency (HCA) in 2015.

I share the following list of HCA milestones to thank all of our staff, community providers and collaborative partners for the ongoing support in protecting and promoting the health and safety of individuals and families throughout Orange County.

I look forward to continuing to work together for a healthier tomorrow in 2016 and beyond.

Coordinated Response The largest measles outbreak to occur in California in 15 years begins. Public Health Services (PHS) staff came together from multiple divisions to provide a coordinated and effective response to the 35 cases identified in Orange County. In all, more than 1,600 hours of overtime and surge support were provided by a total of 35 PHS staff contributing over a seven-week period. A satellite clinic was also established at the 17th Street complex where vaccinations and other prophylaxis were provided and testing was conducted.

Website Launchwww.OCHealthierTogether.org launches to provide data and information about health and wellness in Orange County. The site presents more than 200 current health, social and economic indicators; includes a database of over 2,000 promising practices for improving health; and details countywide collaborative efforts to address priority issues in OC like healthy birth outcomes, mental health, healthy aging, improving eating habits and increasing physical activity.

January

Health Care Agency 2015 Accomplishments

Dental Goes Digital Correctional Health Services converts its film-based dental X-ray system to a digital platform. For Health Care Agency dentists, this means instant images that can be used for patient diagnosis and education. For patients, the advancement brings reduced radiation exposure and a better understanding of treatment.

February

Meeting with Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th U.S. Surgeon General, meets with Public Health Services staff, County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler, Disease Control & Epidemiology (DC&E) Medical Director Dr. Matt Zahn and DC&E Division Manager Marc Meulman to receive an overview of the 2015 measles outbreak in Orange County. Dr. Handler described related international media interest and reviewed treatment recommendations for measles cases, particularly the importance of vitamin A and standardized national guidelines.

Waste Not OC The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reviews more than 200 proposed resolutions to help direct its focus for 2016 and places a submission from Waste Not OC on the top 10 list. The Waste Not OC proposal led to the adoption of a food insecurity screening tool, which the Children’s Hospital of Orange County has already put into practice with more than 25,000 patients.

March

Laura’s Law Behavioral Health Services continues to assess the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program, also known as Laura’s Law, which provides court-ordered treatment for persons with severe mental illness who meet specific criteria and is designed to assist individuals who are resistant to obtaining or maintaining treatment. Since the program’s inception in October of 2014, a total of 584 referrals were received; 533 cases were closed; 151 individuals accepted voluntary services; and 989 calls were received on the AOT hotline for referral and criteria verification information.

April

Physician of the Year The Orange County Medical Association (OCMA) names Eric Handler, M.D. its Physician of the Year. Dr. Handler serves as our public health officer and his collaborative efforts to provide transitional shelter and support to the homeless as well as combat food insecurity are respected and replicated nationwide. Learn more at http://www.ifhomeless.org/ and http://www.wastenotoc.org/.

Community CounselingThe Community Counseling and Supportive Services program is implemented to deliver behavioral health counseling services to individuals of all ages who are at risk of or have developed a mild to moderate behavioral health condition such as depression or anxiety. Services include screening and assessment, individual, couple and family counseling, process-oriented groups, case management, referral and linkage, and community outreach. Learn more at http://ochealthinfo.com/bhs/about/pi/early/ccss.

May

Emergency Medical Services After successfully completing the Emergency Ambulance Transport Services Request for Proposals process, contracts are approved by the Board of Supervisors for all five regional operating areas effective June 2, 2015.

OC-MEDSOC-MEDS, an electronic pre-hospital medical record, is fully implemented across Orange County ambulance companies, fire departments, emergency rooms and the Health Care Agency’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) unit. Advanced Life Support EMS provider agencies have utilized electronic pre-hospital care reports with a 98% submission rate.

June

Protecting Public Health The Orange County Board of Supervisors approves an Environmental Health inspection fee adjustment increase for local food facilities that will enable the Health Care Agency to inspect restaurants more often to ensure the safety and protection of diners.

Technological InnovationThe OC Food Inspections application debuts as a free download available for iPhone and Android. The easy-to-use app gives the public instant access to food safety and sanitation information for approximately 12,000 Orange County food facilities. Learn more at http://ocfoodinfo.com/.

National AccreditationHCA’s Public Health Services applies for accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the public. As part of the accreditation process, Public Health Services submitted to PHAB Orange County’s Community Health Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan, and a Public Health Services’ Strategic Plan. HCA has also submitted 684 documents, comprising close to 7,500 pages, as documentation demonstrating conformity to the 97 quality measures identified by PHAB.

Foreign Dignitary TourGermany’s Secretary of Health Ingrid Fischbach tours HCA’s Behavioral Health Wellness Center, Health Strategic Operations Center and the Back Bay Science Center alongside an interpreter and a representative from the German Embassy in Washington D.C. to study the high quality service levels provided and programs implemented by agency staff.

July

Electronic Health Records The electronic health record continues to be successfully implemented at Behavioral Health Services clinics countywide. The utilization of an integrated electronic system eliminates the use of paper charts, allows for better coordination of care through shared records, facilitates a reduction of potential errors, and permits the use of tools like electronic prescription for expeditious and accurate entry process as well as ease-of-use for patients picking up their medications.

August

CSAC Award A partnership between Behavioral Health’s AB 109 program and the Probation Department is recognized for innovation and cost-effectiveness with a 2015 California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Merit Award. The collaboration between two County of Orange departments has helped to remove barriers to behavioral health services by stationing HCA staff at Probation locations to create a continuum of care. Since its implementation, clients have reported fewer psychiatric emergency room visits and overnight psychiatric hospitalization stays.

Telemedicine Technology Correctional Health Services launches Telemedicine technology within the adult jail system to increase healthcare efficiency and productivity as well as reduce inmate transportation needs by enabling the exchange of medical information from one site to another via electronic communication.

Emergency Preparedness Fair In celebration of National Preparedness Month, HCA’s Health Disaster Management (HDM) Program participates in the Orange County Global Emergency Preparedness Fair. Attendees had the opportunity to view emergency equipment demonstrations, medical surge tents, decontamination suits and operation of decontamination stations. HDM staff provided valuable information to the public by distributing pamphlets and answering questions regarding general emergency preparedness, development of personal preparedness plans and best practices for kit preparation.

September

POD Exercise 2015 Health Disaster Preparedness staff tests its ability to provide vaccinations to a large group of healthy community members in a health emergency scenario at the Point of Dispensing (POD) exercise. The team met all operational and throughput goals without any safety issues. HCA’s successful drill simultaneously enhanced the health and welfare of Orange County residents as 731 participants received flu vaccinations in the cities of Aliso Viejo and Orange.

Linking People with Resources OCLinks, the Health Care Agency’s behavioral health services information and referral line, celebrates its second anniversary. Since its implementation in 2013, staff has participated in more than 19,500 calls to 1(855) OC-Links and online chats via www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks – linking approximately 35% of participants directly with resources.

October

NovemberSoCalREADI Staff with the Health Disaster Management program participates in a five-day statewide medical and health exercise. In responding to the simulated countywide Anthrax exposure scenario, HCA joined its partners in testing our resources and processes and grew better prepared to take action in the event of a real disaster.

Enhanced Training The Health Care Agency’s Custodian of Records launches a new program designed with clinical and administrative staff in mind, which provides extensive training to inform and update participants about the requirements governing protection and disclosure of health information in California.

DecemberChronic Disease Preventionwww.MyHealthOC.org is being accessed by more than 1,000 people each week with approximately 30,000 total visits for the calendar year. The website helps Orange County residents make three small, daily changes that can have a significant impact on overall health and quality of life: (1) Eat fresh, (2) Play some way, and (3) Breathe smoke-free, every day.

Fight the Flu As part of the Orange County Board of Supervisors-led initiative to provide free flu vaccinations to County of Orange employees, HCA’s Employee Health Services team administers 2,200 flu shots to staff at various locations from September through December. Protecting our employees from the influenza virus helps protect the greater Orange County community as a whole.

Chairwoman Lisa A. Bartlett,Supervisor, 5th District

Orange CountyBoard of Supervisors

Vice Chair Michelle Steel,Supervisor, 2nd District

Andrew DoSupervisor, 1st District

Todd Spitzer,Supervisor, 3rd District

Shawn Nelson,Supervisor, 4th District

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