Contract Health Service Notice

Transcription

1 SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Transportation Update Emergency Contraception Tobacco News INSIDE THIS ISSUE: January 2 Calendar Dental News 2 V O L U M E I V, I S S U E I Contract Health Service Notice J A N U A R Y - M A R C H Medical/dental care provided at an IHS or tribal health care facility is called Direct Care. The CHS Program is for medical/dental care provided away from an IHS or tribal health care facility. CHS is not an entitlement program and an IHS referral does not imply the care will be paid. If IHS is requested to pay, then a patient must meet the residency requirements, notification requirements, medical priority, and use of alternate resources. February Calendar National Native Stats March Calendar HIPAA Reminder Transportation News An individual must apply for and use all alternate resources that are available and accessible, such as: Medicare A and B, State Medicaid, State or other federal health program, Private insurance, etc. IHS or Tribal health facilities The IHS is the "payor of last resort" of persons defined as eligible for CHS, notwithstanding any state or local law or regulation to the contrary. Emergency Contraception 6 Tobacco News 7-8 New Employees Diabetes Class Recruitment 9 10 Flu News 11 The IHS facility is also considered a resource, and therefore, the CHS funds may not be expended for services reasonably accessible and available at IHS facilities. When a IHS facility capable of providing these services is within ninety minutes (90) minutes one-way surface transportation time from the person's place of residence to the nearest IHS facility. Submitted by KTHFS Contract Health Department 2011 Office Closure Dates 12 Questions? Contact Christa Runnels, KTHFS Health Educator at cmrunnels@klm.portland.ihs.gov

2 PAGE 2 Schedule of Events January 1- New Year s Day January 17- Martin Luther King, Day Offices Closed January 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Dental Announcement EMERGENCY DENTAL CLINIC TIMES MONDAYS: 7:30-11:00 am 1:00-3:00 pm WEDNESDAYS: 1:00-3:00 pm The Tribal Health Dental Office can be reached at Submitted by KTHFS Dental Department

3 Schedule of Events Feb 2- Groundhog Day Feb 14- Valentine s Day Feb 21- President s Day Offices Closed February 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PAGE Native Stats Drive safe and buckle up! Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury for American Indian/ Alaska Natives ages CDC (2011) KTHFS Tribal Health News is published every 3 months. If you would like to have this newsletter sent directly to your address, send me a message at: cmrunnels@klm.portland.ihs.gov Thanks! Christa Runnels, Health Educator Submitted by KTHFS Health Education

4 Schedule of Events March 9- Ash Wednesday March 13- Daylight Savings Time March 17- St. Patrick s Day March 20- Spring Equinox March Spring Break Activities TBA March 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PAGE HIPAA Reminder HIPAA. PRIVACY. It s not just a good idea. It s the law. Show you care by keeping Protected Health Information (PHI) private. Share data with only those individuals having an official need-to-know. Do not discuss protected health information in a public setting. Submitted by KTHFS Administration

5 PAGE 5 Submitted by KTHFS Transportation Department

6 PAGE 6 Submitted by KTHFS Medical Department

7 PAGE 7 EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO SMOKE CAUSES IMMEDIATE DAMAGE, SAYS NEW SURGEON GENERAL S REPORT Exposure to tobacco smoke even occasional smoking or secondhand smoke causes immediate damage to your body that can lead to serious illness or death, according to a report released today by U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin. The comprehensive scientific report - Benjamin s first Surgeon General s report and the 30 th tobacco-related Surgeon General s report issued since describes specific pathways by which tobacco smoke damages the human body and leads to disease and death. The report, How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease, finds that cellular damage and tissue inflammation from tobacco smoke are immediate, and that repeated exposure weakens the body s ability to heal the damage. The chemicals in tobacco smoke reach your lungs quickly every time you inhale causing damage immediately, Benjamin said in releasing the report. Inhaling even the smallest amount of tobacco smoke can also damage your DNA, which can lead to cancer. "Over the last two years we have stepped up efforts to reduce tobacco use, including implementing legislation to regulate tobacco products, investing in local tobacco control efforts and expanding access to insurance coverage for tobacco cessation" said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. "This will remain a key priority of this Administration." The report also explains why it is so difficult to quit smoking. According to the research, cigarettes are designed for addiction. The design and contents of current tobacco products make them more attractive and addictive than ever before. Today s cigarettes deliver nicotine more quickly and efficiently than cigarettes of many years ago. Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mixture of more than 7,000 chemicals and compounds, of which hundreds are toxic and at least 70 cause cancer. Every exposure to these cancer-causing chemicals could damage DNA in a way that leads to cancer. Exposure to smoke also decreases the benefits of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Smoking causes more than 85% of lung cancers and can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body. One in three cancer deaths in the U.S. is tobacco-related. Continued on next page...

8 PAGE 8 The report describes how the delicate lining of the lungs becomes inflamed as soon as it is exposed to the chemical mixture in cigarette smoke. Over time, the smoke can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cardiovascular disease and could trigger acute cardiac events, such as heart attack. The report describes how chemicals from tobacco smoke quickly damage blood vessels and make blood more likely to clot. The evidence in this report shows how smoking causes cardiovascular disease and increases risks for heart attack, stroke, and aortic aneurysm. Smoking causes many other harmful effects throughout the body, including making it harder for diabetics to control their blood sugar. Smoking makes it harder for women to get pregnant and can cause a miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birth weight, as well as damage to fetal lungs and brain tissue. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome, the report finds. This report makes it clear quitting at any time gives your body a chance to heal the damage caused by smoking, the Surgeon General said. It s never too late to quit, but the sooner you do it, the better. Fortunately, there are now more effective ways to help people quit than ever before. Nicotine replacement is available over the counter and doctors can prescribe medications that improve the chances of successful quit attempts. Smokers can also call QUIT-NOW for help. To help communicate the report findings as widely as possible, the Surgeon General unveiled an easy-to-read guide with practical information about how tobacco smoke causes disease, A Report of the Surgeon General: How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: What It Means to You. Copies of the full report, executive summary, and the easy-to-read guide may be downloaded at order printed copies of these documents, go to and click the Publications Catalog link under Tools & Resources. Submitted by KTHFS Pharmacy

9 PAGE 9 New Employees Name: Debby Eastman Place of birth: N. Tonawanda, NY Position: Medical Office Clerk Education: Associates in Medical Assisting Hobbies: raising 8 ducks, camping, hiking, gardening, motorcycle riding, wildlife, making sun catchers, and music Name: Anita Masaitis, DMD Place of birth: Nanticoke, PA Position: Dentist Education: Doctor of dental medicine and registered dental hygienist Hobbies: Garden, bingo, exercise, boat, swim, target practice, and rafting Name: Krissy Peters Place of birth: Crescent City, CA Position: Medical Office Phone Clerk Education: KCC and OIT Hobbies: Oil and acrylic painting, fishing the Klamath River is Requa Tribal Affiliation: Yurok Name: Ashlie Hall Place of birth: Klamath Falls, OR Position: Dental Hygienist Education: Bachelors in Dental Hygiene Hobbies: Working out, cooking, horseback riding, hanging out with friends and family Tribal Affiliation: Klamath Descendant Name: Shela Rice Place of birth: Roseburg, OR Position: Certified Medical Assistant Education: CNA License and working towards Associates Degree in Medical Assisting Hobbies: Horses, fishing, camping, and hiking Name: Charlene Hescock Place of birth: Klamath Falls, OR Position: Human Resource Assistant Hobbies: Spending time with family, love to travel and see new places Tribal Affiliation: Klamath Descendant Name: Destiny Osborn Place of birth: Klamath Falls, OR Position: Dental Assistant Education: trade school, high school Prior work experience: 2 years at T. Alexander Smith s Dental Office Tribal Affiliation: Klamath Descendant Name: Lynell Penny Ulam Place of birth: Klamath Falls, OR Position: Medical Assistant Education: Medical Assistant Degree Hobbies: Beading, family, friends, enjoying life, learning from elders and gaining knowledge Tribal Affiliation: Klamath Submitted by KTHFS Human Resources

10 PAGE 10 Diabetes Prevention Class Recruitment Dear Potential Participant, The Klamath Tribes Diabetes Prevention Team is looking for volunteers to participate in our Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). What is the DPP? The Diabetes Prevention Program is based on the findings of a national study that diabetes is preventable in those at high risk. The focus of the program is on making lifestyle changes to try to prevent diabetes. What is Pre-Diabetes? Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be called diabetes. Who can Join? American Indian men and women age 18 or older who are eligible for services at KTH&FS and who have pre-diabetes. What will I be Asked to do? Become more physically active and learn healthier eating habits. Attend 16 classes, one class per week, to explore ways to live a healthier life. Work with a Physical Activity Lifestyle Specialist (PALS) over the next three years to lose weight, get more active and be healthier! How Can I Join the Program? Let us know that you are interested in volunteering for the program by calling the following number and we will explain the project to you and answer any questions about the DP program. For more information please contact : Shawn Jackson at x 220. Classes begin early February Submitted by KTHFS Diabetes Prevention Program

11 PAGE 11 The Flu season IS still here In Oregon, Influenza activity peaks during February and March. Therefore getting vaccinated in January and February is still beneficial. The Medical Clinic has a full supply of Influenza vaccine and encourages you to get vaccinated against the Flu. Please stop by the Medical Clinic today!! Influenza is a contagious disease. Influenza is a serious respiratory disease that kills an average of 36,000 persons and hospitalizes more than 200,000 persons in the United States each year. The best way to prevent influenza is vaccination. It s important to get a seasonal flu shot or nasal-spray vaccine as soon as they become available in the fall. Each vaccine covers three influenza viruses. The viruses covered by the vaccine change each year based on CDC and World Health Organization calculations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. Influenza vaccination is recommended to prevent influenza disease and its complications, including death. If you contract influenza, you will shed the virus for hours before influenza symptoms appear. Shedding the virus can spread influenza infection to people whom you come in contact with. If you become infected with influenza, even when your symptoms are mild, you can spread severe illness to others. The strains of virus that cause influenza infection change almost every year, which is why a different influenza vaccine is recommended each year. The approved vaccine covers three different strains (including the H1N1 pandemic 2009 influenza virus): You cannot get the influenza disease from the influenza vaccine. The consequences of refusing to be vaccinated could endanger your health and the health of those with whom you have contact, including your family your coworkers your community Additional Influenza Resources: CDC Influenza Website: CDC Seasonal Flu FAQ s Oregon Flu Website: Submitted by KTHFS Medical Department

12 PAGE Scheduled Office Closure Dates HOLIDAY DATE DAY New Year's Day -- Observed December 31st Friday * Actual Holiday is on Saturday Martin Luther King's Birthday January 17th Monday President's Day February 21st Monday State Indian Day May 13th Friday (Declared by State Gov't Office) Memorial Day May 30th Monday Independence Day July 4th Monday Restoration August 26th Friday (Friday before Restoration-4th weekend) Labor Day September 5th Monday National Indian Day September 23rd Friday (Fourth Friday of September) Veteran's Day November 11th Friday Thanksgiving Day November 24th Thursday Day After Thanksgiving November 25th Friday Christmas Eve December 23rd Friday * Actual Holiday is on Saturday Christmas Day December 26th Monday *Actual Holiday is on Sunday Submitted by KTHFS Transportation Department