New director of nursing introduced
The Auglaize County Health Department’s outgoing Nursing Director Brenda Eiting introduced her replacement, Jessica Wuebker, to board members Tuesday during the monthly department meeting.
Health Commissioner Oliver Fisher noted state records showed a total of 14,746 residents in Auglaize County have at least received the first dose of the vaccine, representing 32.3 percent of the population. He said only two percent of the population started the vaccine and didn’t receive their second dose.
Eiting said they have had 355 participants in recent immunization clinics over the past month, which is not as many as previous months. About 4,000 vaccines have been allocated to the health department or their enrolled providers. Of those vaccines 2,820 were administered at the health department.
The Health Department has given out 1,628 of the first dose including 300 of the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Board member Dr. Thomas Freytag asked about following up with those who didn’t show up for their second dose. Freytag saw value in seeing if people got the second dose elsewhere or if they just decided not to get it.
Health Commissioner Fisher said they would possibly be able to cross reference with the IMPAXSIIS database to see if those individuals got their second dose somewhere else.
Medical Director Dr. Juan Torres said he was sick of talking about the virus, and shared some summer health tips. He encouraged people to wear sunscreen due to skin cancer risks.
He said people who are active may forget to drink water, and may be drinking alcohol, which dehydrates instead.
With the summer heat, he warned that heatstroke symptoms involve confusion, rapid pulse and tiredness. A common place for overheating is in the car.
“Don’t forget your kids in the car,” warned Torres, as children could overheat easily. He said there are systems out there that can help parents remember. He also said drivers could develop fatigue on long car rides, and that more drivers will be out on the roads in the summer months.
Board members also revised personnel policy to clarify health insurance policy upon termination.
After meeting in executive session, board members accepted the resignation of nursing billing clerk Michelle Folks, and hired Lisa Trego and Kim Hoying as office support specialists
The health department will also sign a six month trial run of the American Exchange billing company to help improve billing efficiency.
Board members renewed a memorandum of understanding to share epidemiology resources with Allen and Mercer counties.