PANHANDLE HEALTH SYSTEMS AGENCY AIP PROGRESS REPORT MARCH 1979 AIP Objective 1. Health resources inventory and directory 2. 3. Work on the development of a health resources directory is under- Alcohol and drug abuse coordination. 1. 2. Expand current education and information programs. Expanded education and information programs are currently available through the various alcohol and drug abuse programs. The Amarillo Council on Alcoholism counseled with 77 clients, distributed 4,471 pieces of literature, gave talks to 43 groups other than Drivers' Education classes, gave talks to 47 Drivers' Education classes totalling 1,219 students, published 9 newspaper articles, appeared on eight television shows, and provided 18 radio interviews and public service announcements. A therapeutic drama entitled "The Death of O.D. Walker" was presented at Tascosa and Hilltop High Schools. A "Use and Abuse of Beverage Alcohol" course lasting six weeks was offered free of charge to the public through Amarillo College. Coordination of education and information programs through the Region XVI Education Service Center has been ensured through interlocking board representation and this recommended action completed. Alcohol and alcoholism speakers' bureau. 1. As indicated above, the model speakers' bureau under the leadership of Ray Tillotson, Director, Amarillo Council on Alcoholism, has been very active. The bureau provided talks to 90 classes and 26 radio and television programs during the last six months of 1978. Monthly reports are available. 2. 3. The TPCAP alcoholism program has developed a system of speakers through its outreach centers. Programs are provided in cooperation with the Community Action Agencies. Monthly reports are available in Claudia Stuart's office. The Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinator is assisting the Amarillo Council on Alcoholism and the Amarillo MH/MR Center in finding resources to support the speakers' bureau and ensuring 4. 4. that all school districts have knowledge of the available educational information. The speakers' bureaus have been coordinated with the Region XVI "School Alert" program for epilepsy. The High Plains Epilepsy Association is actively involved in presenting the "School Alert" program to area schools. During the calendar year ending November 15, 1978, the association presented 42 programs reaching approximately 1,331 people and utilizing 7,688 pieces of literature. In addition, Betty Brown, Executive Director, had 36 meetings with school personnel. 5. Senior Citizens Centers prevention clinics. 6. Mike McQueen, Director, Panhandle Area Agency on the Aging, reports that Senior Citizens Centers with which the Area Agency on the Aging contracts are required to provide health education and prevention programs. During the last quarter of 1978, health-related services were provided for approximately 1,880 individuals. Technical assistance in the areas of hypertensive screening, exercise programs, diabetes and glaucoma screenings, nutrition, and expanded prevention activities is being provided. In addition, two new programs, the Amarillo Hospital District's Geropsychiatric Mental Health Center and the Adult Day Care Program, are providing expanded health services for the elderly. Comprehensive Cancer Care Project The Panhandle Area Cancer Council, in cooperation with St. Anthony's Hospital, has developed Certificate of Need applications which received approval from the Texas Health Facilities Commission on March 1, 1979 and which essentially accomplish all of the recommended actions listed for this objective. The joint cancer care project is expected to cost approximately $7.1 million. 7. Hypertension screening programs. 8. The Texas Department of Health Regional Office is currently conducting hypertension screening throughout the Panhandle area on a regular basis. During the last quarter of 1978, over 3,000 screenings were done (822 in January, 1979). A meeting of organizations and agencies providing hypertension screening programs for the purpose of exchanging schedules, persons served, resource available, etc., is scheduled in April. Emergency Medical System (EMS) multi-media information. A multi-media information program providing area residents with adequate knowledge on accessing the EMS is underway. News coverage of EMS activities is frequent. The Panhandle Emergency Medical Services System has received national recognition for its excellence. 1. 2. 3. 4. Twenty public service announcements have been developed and aired on radio and television. The EMS did not purchase newspaper space to advertise the emergency in-WATS telephone number due to some legal questions. However, the access number appears on the inside cover of every telephone directory in the Panhandle. Printed materials on accessing the PEMSS communications center have been printed at a cost of $1,750 and made available at health fairs, club meetings, luncheons, etc. Thirty thousand telephone stickers have been distributed. Brochures and telephone stickers have been mailed to every known civic group, industry, club and hospital in the Panhandle area. A speakers' bureau is in operation and averages approximately 12 presentations per month with an average of 50 to 75 in attendance at each presentation. 9. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programs. 1. 2. 3. PEMSS is coordinating CPR training programs. Practically all dentists in the Panhandle have received training. MD training is underway. CPR training is available in all area high schools. Industry training has begun. Three groups of approximately 75 each have been trained at the Amarillo Country Club. The mortality rate for myocardial infarctions has dropped 18.2 percent in the last two years. Approximately 30,000 volunteers have received CPR training in the last three years. PEMSS has purchased additional CPR training equipment. Twelve Resusci-Annes, seven Anatomic-Annes and five Resusci-Babies were purchased in 1978. 10. "First Responders" CPR training. The recommended actions for this objective have been completed except for law enforcement personnel. 1. 2. 3. PEMSS is encouraging police and sheriffs' offices to train their personnel in CPR and to make CPR training a regular part of their academic curriculum. Three Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) courses have been taught for police. Fire departments throughout the Panhandle have been trained. The EMS program is receiving much stronger support in the region than in the metropolitan area. The Potter County Sheriff's Department and the Department of Public Safety have been reluctant to participate in training. PEMSS has purchased five CPR films. Video tape presentation on CPR training has not yet been successfully developed. 11. Coronary Care training. PEMSS has completed two coronary care courses involving 45 nurses. Four advanced cardiac care life support classes for approximately 80 MDs have been completed. The major emphasis on this program will occur during the spring of 1979. 12. Paramedical and EMT coronary care training. One course in paramedic training has been completed. Fifty-two students are enrolled for a second course in March 1979. The course will require 180 hours of instruction. 13. Regional emergency trauma center. 1. The following equipment has been purchased for use in the NWTH regional emergency trauma center: 2. 3. 2- physio control defibrillator 1 - glucose determination machine The Med-A-Vac helicopter is in operation. In 1978 79 helicopter, 23 fixed-wing aircraft and 65 ground emergency runs were made. Plans for expanded critical care capabilities at the regional trauma center are very promising. 14. Defibrillation and telemetry monitoring equipment. Telemetry capability has been expanded from one to four ambulance services simultaneously. Eleven ambulances have been equipped with telemetry monitoring equipment. Two defibrillators have been purchased for the Northwest Texas Hospital regional emergency trauma center. 15. Regionalized maternal and perinatal care program. 1. 2. 3. A regional perinatal care task force has been created. Shirley Assessment is underway. To avoid duplication of services, it is agreed that there should be one Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to be located at Northwest Texas Hospital. Educational programs are being developed and used with the medical profession. A newborn and maternal child care course requiring two and one-half hours of instruction by two M.D.s and three nurses has been completed in 13 hospitals. Approximately 450 people have been trained. There has been a 34.5 percent drop in the region's neonatal death rate since 1977. 16. 4. Educational programs directed at the general public have been developed. Public education and professional educational programs will be promoted concurrently. The March of Dimes will coordinate all lay person training. Level III obstetrical/perinatal facility 1. Northwest Texas Hospital. Level II perinatal services have been incorporated into the design for the OB-neonatal unit of the new NWTH. 17. 18. 19. 20. 3. 4. NWTH is investigating and developing necessary revenue sources. Appropriate steps have been taken to initiate the development of a Level 1 unit at present NWTH. The staff has been fully trained and integrated with EMS including nurses, respiratory therapists, newborn and maternal child nurses. A neonatologist is on staff. Regional neonatal communications. 1. 2. "Direct patch" capability between NWTH and area hospitals using the EMS communication sytem began operation July 1, 1978. It allows consultation with hospitals, doctors, and neonatologist. A perinatologist at Texas Tech University Regional Academic Health Center can also be included. The necessary radio equipment for the "direct patch" capability has been purchased. High-risk infant transport. This objective has been met according to Betty O'Rourke through the use of the "Med-A-Vac" helicopter. The nine ambulances were not purchased due to lack of funds. The additional two infant incubators are not needed because of the Cavitron Transport Incubator and the development of a volunteer land or air trauma team that transports all high-risk infants. Continuing education programs for high-risk infant specialists. 1. 2. Coordination of instruction is beginning. instruction in the respiratory care and transport of the high-risk infant is being provided in all area hospitals. Three hundred seventy-five nurses have been trained. Air and ground transport information. 1. 2. An information packet is available and has been distributed to every area hospital. The information packet has been distributed to all area physicians, hospital administrators, and directors of nursing. |