Folks that receive publicly-funded behavioral health services in Cochise, Santa Cruz, Greenlee and Graham Counties will soon transition to a new Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). In March, ADHS awarded contracts for all of the areas outside of Maricopa County. We awarded the contract for Cochise, Santa Cruz, Greenlee and Graham Counties to Cenpatico Behavioral [...]
September is national preparedness month, which is dedicated to encourage individual preparation for the full range of hazards including natural disasters, cyber attacks, pandemic disease and acts of terrorism. Hurricane Katrina taught us that we have to be independently prepared and not expect government resources to be able to rapidly respond in the initial stages [...]
Maybe. I’ve read the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act several times with an eye toward how we’d execute it’s requirements in case it passes. One of the key decisions is figuring our which of our areas is in the best position to get the job done. I think the best place is Vital Records- at least for [...]
Arizona got a great public health preparedness report card from the CDC this week, getting a solid A by scoring 30/32. The report (Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening the Nation’s Emergency Response State by State) examines each state’s readiness using 32 criteria designed to drive states toward demonstrating results, measuring their program improvements and increasing accountability. [...]
Arizona got a great public health preparedness report card from the CDC this week, getting a solid A by scoring 30/32. The report (Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening the Nation’s Emergency Response State by State) examines each state’s readiness using 32 criteria designed to drive states toward demonstrating results, measuring their program improvements and increasing accountability. [...]
Certain “Similac®” powdered baby formulas were recalled this week by the manufacturer (Abbott Labs) because they discovered there were bugs (beetles) in the formula from one of their manufacturing plants. According to the FDA (who regulates foods including formula), the formula that contains beetles doesn’t pose an immediate health risk but babies that drink it [...]
ADHS just scored a $1.3M grant for “enhancing the interoperability of electronic health records and immunization information systems”. This grant allows us to accelerate work with public and private health care provider offices and Electronic Health Record vendors to develop interfaces for the automated vaccination data to the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS). These [...]
Our Office of Assisted Living Licensure has developed several classes to help assisted living providers to better follow our quality assurance rules for assisted living facilities. Over the past year, surveyors have presented monthly classes on Medication Rules and a refresher class on the Administration of Medications for caregivers and managers. A new presentation on the rules for [...]
The Strategic National Stockpile is a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administration, airway maintenance supplies, and medical/surgical items which are stored in a few locations around the country. The stockpile is designed to supplement public health agencies in case there’s a national emergency anywhere and at anytime within the U.S. [...]
Last year Arizona welcomed about 98,000 newborns to our world. Our Newborn Screening Program (in the State Laboratory) ensures that each newborn is tested for 28 inherited disorders and hearing problems. The goal is to help kids avoid illness, developmental delays and even death. Teamwork, communication and coordination are to critical in making this program [...]
