Orange County NC Website
Electronic Medical Records <br /> Efficiency -Accuracy- Integrated between clinic locations - Saves $ - Improves access to data - <br /> Environmentally friendly <br /> (Chart) <br /> Outreach & Education (photos) <br /> Outreach & Education (Website photos) <br /> Colleen Bridger said the Health Department staff recently went through a visioning <br /> retreat after finishing several major projects. She noted the tremendous influx of new staff and <br /> the need to think about where the department wanted to go. <br /> She discussed some of the recent accomplishments of the department. <br /> She said two grants have been received for expansion of breast and cervical cancer <br /> services. She noted that Orange County falls below the state average in breast cancer <br /> diagnoses. <br /> She said Orange County had the highest number of measles outbreaks in the state, <br /> and she outlined the difference between isolation and quarantine - isolation cases are already <br /> ill; and quarantine cases are not ill, but have been exposed to the illness. <br /> BOH member Corey Davis arrived at 5:50. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked how the board knows that quarantined people stay in their <br /> homes. <br /> Colleen Bridger said staff checks on them daily. She said most are children who were <br /> exposed in school. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if there had been any issue with low income needing <br /> support. <br /> Colleen Bridger said that had not been the case with this outbreak. <br /> Commissioner Price asked where people go during isolation. <br /> Colleen Bridger said the people under isolation actually had the illness, and had <br /> symptoms, so they were usually already in bed. She said the quarantined people had been <br /> exposed to measles and were not vaccinated. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if this was a result of the anti-vaccine movement. <br /> Colleen Bridger said many of these parents decided not to vaccinate their children as a <br /> result of the anti-vaccine movement. She noted that this movement was initiated by poor <br /> research and has developed a life of its own, despite reputable medical research to dispute the <br /> myth that vaccines cause autism. <br /> Colleen Bridger said people claim religious exemption, and this is a legal challenge. <br /> BOH Member Paul Chelminski said vaccine intervention actually saves money for <br /> society. <br /> Colleen Bridger said the Health Department is here to respond to cases like this and to <br /> prevent exposure. She said this was done successfully in this case. <br /> Commissioner Rich clarified that one of these cases went to a doctor and then the <br /> doctor reported it to the health department. <br /> Colleen Bridger said the board contacted parents and provided guidance before the <br /> children became symptomatic, which helped limit exposure. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked about the specific location of the cases <br />