Local Information | Frequently Asked Questions | Programming | Public Health Links

Programming

Community Health Needs Assessment and Health Improvement Plan
The most recent versions for Buchanan County can be found at www.idph.state.ia.us. E-Mail us at publichealth@bchealth.info for public health concerns that are noted in our county.

Community Partnership
We work together with many community partners and serve on many community boards and councils, assuring that the community has a voice in health.

Communicable Disease Follow-up and Investigation
We investigate disease outbreaks to decrease their spread.  A listing of reportable diseases per Iowa Code at the following web site:  http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/epi_manual/4_disease_poster.pdf
Call us at 319-332-0860

Public Health Emergency Planning & Preparedness
Planning for a public health emergency or disaster in our county with community partners is an important step in preparedness. Prepare your family for disaster at http://www.ready.gov/america/other/linking.html. Prepare your family for a pandemic flu outbreak http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html We also work closely with the Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition which was activated after the disaster of 2008. Call 319-334-3289 to make an appointment with the case advocate to see how the Coalition can assist you with your unmet needs. 

Diabetes Education
Newly diagnosed, change of medication, or need for refresher on education may bring someone with diabetes to the Diabetes Out Patient Self Managment Program. The program is ADA recognized and certified through the Iowa Department of Public Health. Services can be billed to Medicare, Medicaid, and most third party payors. Staff include the coordinator of the progrm who is an RN with a Diabetes Educator Certification (CDE) and Registered Dietician (RD). The Intensification Clinic is a clinic to assist those who need additional assistance in controlling their diabetes. A Nurse Practitioner (NP) joins the team of health care providers to work with the patient.  Please contact Cindy Horn at 319-332-0866 for more information. For relieable websites about Diabetes, click here. Future Diabetes Updates at the Buchanan County Health Center for 2008 will be from 7 -8 pm on the following Mondays: May 5 and August 4.

Flu Shots
What is Influenza or "the flu"? http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/epi_manual/influenza.pdf. Flu Shot Clinics:  Visit our site in the fall to keep informed of upcoming clinics. Get your flu shot before vaccine runs out this fall to avoid the flu! Flu shots are available sometime in late October until vaccine is extinguished, generally sometime in December. Flu shots are not a one time shot, but must be taken yearly to remain protected.

Home Care
Our department no longer provides services of medicare-certified nursing or home care aide home care. A map is provided on our site of home care agency choices. Our department does contract with Medicare certified home care agancies to provide home care service for those who qualify. Call our department to discuss the situation and determine if you would qualify for this service.

Homemaking Services 

Do you have a medical need that requires assistance with light homemaking, simple personal cares, or grocery shopping? Homemaking services are available on a sliding fee scale basis according to income and resources. The recipient must have a medical need and be able to maintain safely in the home when the homemaker is not there. This is NOT a 24 hour service and the individual cannot be eligible for funding of the service from another form of reimbursement. http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/home_care_aide_chore.asp

Immunizations
The Department provides childhood immunizations to those who are underinsured. Underinsured means:

• Children who have health insurance but coverage does not include vaccines, or;
• Children whose health insurance covers only select vaccines or caps the vaccine cost at a certain limit.
• Children whose health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations are not eligible to receive vaccine from our department, even when the plan's deductible has not been met or a co-payment is required. Children with Hawk-I and medicaid insurance can be immunized at a physician office.

All physician offices in the county provide immunizations. Call the department for an appointment if your family qualifies for immunizations through us. Immunizations are given to Amish children at sites out in the Amish community on a scheduled basis.

School Immunization Card Audits
Immunization card audits are performed each year in the fall in all schools and registered day cares in Buchanan County according to Iowa Code. The law and required immunizations can be found at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/immunization/immunization_guide.pdf

Public Health Modernization
Public Health is changing in Iowa! The redesign of public health is occurring within our state and within our county. Read more about redesign of public health http://www.idph.state.ia.us/rphi.default.asp

Buchanan County Tobacco Free Coalition
If you wish to join forces with a Coalition that is working on decreasing tobacco use and abuse in Buchanan County, contact the Buchanan County Tobacco Free Coalition at 319-235-2521 Ext. 428 or e-mail smokefree@pathways.org You may also contact our department for further information. If you are looking for help in your efforts to stop the use of tobacco, click here for information.

Director: Amy Marlow amarlow@bchealth.info