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Public Health Nursing DivisionProgramsAdult Flu Clinics:The Council Bluffs Public Health Department provides influenza vaccine at several clinics traditionally scheduled in October of each year. In 2009, 3 clinics were held with a total of 600 people having been vaccinated. The Health Department vaccinates anyone who is 4 years of age and older. In the event there is a shortage of flu vaccine, the following groups of people will be vaccinated first:
Once these high-risk people have been vaccinated, then others may receive the vaccine. The Public Health Nurses are responsible for ordering and administering vaccine, coordinating clinics, and collaborating with the Visiting Nurse Association to ensure that clients have as short a wait as possible when attending the various clinics within the City. Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic (STD clinic):The Council Bluffs Public Health Department contracts with a local physician to provide testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. HIV testing is also available at this site. Testing and treatment is available at no cost to clients. During 2008, 239 individuals received care at the STD clinic site. An Iowa Department of Public Health Disease Prevention Specialist provides follow-up counseling for clients found to be infected with an STD or HIV. Clients may make an appointment by calling (712)323-0096. HIV/Hepatitis C: Counseling, Testing, Referral and Education:This site contains HIV prevention messages that many not be appropriate for all audiences. The Council Bluffs Health Department's nursing staff provides free and confidential client centered HIV prevention counseling, testing and referral to individuals who identify high-risk behaviors or self-identify as belonging to one or more of the target populations as defined by the Iowa HIV Prevention Comprehensive Plan. Several options are available to clients for HIV counseling and testing: Council Bluffs Health Department Monday through Friday by appointment only. Call 712-328-4666. Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic. Monday through Friday by appointment only. Call 712-323-0096. Visiting Nurse Association of Pottawattamie County Monday thru Friday by appointment. Call 712-328-2636. MOHM's Place, 1435 N. 15th Street, Monday through Friday by appointment only. Call 328-4666 to make an appointment. Nishna Valley Pharmacy in Shenandoah, IA. Every 3rd Tuesday by appointment. Call 712-246-2920. Crawford County Home Health's Family Planning Office, every 3rd Wednesday by appointment. Call 712-263-3303.  Nebraska AIDS Project
For HIV case management, referrals are given to Nebraska AIDS Project, NAP. In 2008, 220 individuals had conventional ( blood draw ) HIV testing and 156 individuals had rapid testing ( results available within 15-20 of testing ). A total of 376 individuals were offered free services at locations in Council Bluffs including the Council Bluffs Public Health Department office, the free STD clinic, MOHM's Place, Pottawattamie Correctional Facility and various outreach settings. The Health Department nurses also conduct Health Education/Risk Reduction (HERR) activities at the Pottawattamie County Jail. In 2008, 277 individuals in Pottawattamie County Jail attended the intervention that focused on reducing high-risk sexual behavior and condom negoitation skills. Tuberculosis Surveillance, Control and Education: TB testing is not available at this time
The Council Bluffs Health Department recognizes the risk of tuberculosis transmission and strives to reduce the risk to staff and individuals in the community. The Health Department nurses provide tuberculosis (TB) screening, lab testing, and follow-up of high-risk individuals. The primary concern is the prevention and treatment of TB disease and infection by adequately identifying and following active cases, suspects and infected individuals until completion of adequate drug therapy. Investigation and Prevention of Reportable Communicable DiseasesOne of the primary goals of public health professionals at both the local and state level is the control and prevention of disease. The ability of local and state public health professionals and private health professionals to work as a team is critical in detering potential public health threats due to communicable diseases. An effective surveillance system and prompt evaluation and response by the "team" is essential to the control of disease. The Iowa State Board of Health has adopted rules to establish certain diseases as being 'reportable'. Health care professionals such as physicians, laboratories, infection control practitioners, school nurses, and local health deparatment personnel are required to report these diseases to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Infectious diseases are designated as reportable to identify any potential threats to the health of specific groups in the community or the population at large. Reporting of these diseases helps to ensure that thorough investigations can be performed and appropriate control measures can be taken. Survillance of reportable diseases can indicate when and if interventions such as immunizations, vector control, or education are needed to prevent or control diseases. It also allows disease trends to be watched and information collected on the distribution of various diseases in Iowa. This data is used in health planning and education of health care professionals and the communitites affected. When diseases requiring public health follow-up are reported, the diagnosis is confirmed with the appropriate physician, laboratory or both. The case is then investigated: to determine the possible sources of the person's infection; to assess the likelihood the individual will transmit the infection to others; and to provide education regarding prevention to the ill person and their contacts. The goal is always to slow or stop the occurrence of the disease. Information about individual patients is kept confidential. In 2003, the Council Bluffs Health Department nurses followed up and investigated 107 disease reports. Head Lice Treatment Program:Collaboration between the Council Bluffs Public Health Department, Visiting Nurse Association, and Council Bluffs Community Schools has resulted in a head lice treatment program that is funded through the generosity of the Dodge Trust and Ameristar Casino. This program provides supplies needed by families in the community who are dealing with this nuisance problem. Supplies are coordinated and kept in stock by the Health Department nurses. The City Health Department nurses are available for consultation to families and schools on the issue of head lice treatment. Children's Immunization Clinics:The Vaccine For Children (VFC) Program was created to meet the vaccination needs of children from birth through 18 years of age. Children eligible to receive VFC provided vaccines include: children enrolled in Medicaid, children who do not have insurance and children who are American Indian or Alaskan Native. In addition, children who have health insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines are considered to be "underinsured" and are eligible for the VFC Program. Although there is no charge for immunizations, a donation of $5.00 is suggested to offset the cost of medical supplies. Clinics are held in Council Bluffs, Neola, and Carter Lake. In 2007, the Healthy Iowans goal for immunizing 90% of the two year olds and under, served by the Council Bluffs Health Department clinics, was met. Contact Tanya 712 328-4666. Audits of licensed daycare immunization records and communicable disease outbreaks are conducted by the Public Health Nurses. The goal of auditing immunization records at local licensed daycares is to aid in the successful outcome of any communicable disease outbreak. In 2007, Public Health Nurses audited 19 daycares and 1,093 immuniztion records to assure compliance with state laws. While at the daycares, information regarding public health and safety issues are distributed to the parents and daycare providers. A Pertussis case in an area daycare in 1999 and 2002 truly enforced the continued need for this activity. Updated immunization records aided the epidemiological investigation team in disseminating information needed to ensure the health and safety of other children and daycare workers. Accurate records enabled the investigation team to readily identify those children and workers at risk. Blood Lead Screening and Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning:The Council Bluffs Public Health Department nurses are screening children ages 12 months to 5 years old who are at risk for lead poisoning. Many homes in the Council Bluffs area were built before 1960, which may have used lead-based paint. The test we currently use is a simple finger-stick technique. Results are back in about 2 weeks. Some risk factors include: *Home built before 1960 *Children eating paint chips *Children playing in the dirt/sand which has paint chips Children may put the dirt/sand in their mouths or the dirt/sand sticks to their hands and toys that they put into their mouths. Most children do not show any signs of the disease, however some may have the following symptoms: easily excited, not able to pay attention, stomach aches, and/or more tired than usual. Lead-poisoned children may have learning and behavior problems as they grow. Children with very high lead levels may develop seizures, become unconscious, and/or even die. Blood Lead Testing Requirements Information
Questions and Answers for parents Blood Lead Testing Requirements Information-Spanish
Questions and Answers for parents-Spanish Dental ScreeningThe Oral Health Bureau promotes and advances health behaviors to reduce the risk of oral diseases and improve the oral health status of all Iowans. Programs are in place targeting pregnant women, children, and youth for the prevention, early identification, referral, and treatment of oral disease. These programs have been implemented in schools, maternal and child health agencies, public dental health clinics, and other community-based settings. Immunizations for City Employees:Immunization services are offered by the Council Bluffs Health Department to other departments. Vaccines such as Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B series are offered to employees who are at risk. Contact Tanya 712 328-4666.
Council Bluffs Department of Public Health
© Copyright 2010 City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, All rights reserved. © Copyright 2010 City of Council Bluffs, Iowa, All rights reserved.
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