Funding Opportunity In The Area of Emergency Preparedness For Wyoming Hospitals

The Wyoming Hospital Research and Education Foundation in conjunction with the Wyoming Department of Health has announced a funding opportunity for hospitals in the area of emergency preparedness. These funds have been made available through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program, FY 2005. Applications were mailed last week and must be submitted to the Wyoming Hospital Association no later than April 24, 2006 . Facilities will be notified of their acceptance in writing and appropriate funding will be made available by May 15, 2006 . This is a great opportunity for hospitals to receive this federal funding which will enhance emergency preparedness statewide. The HRSA BT Hospital Preparedness Program has funded preparedness activities for hospitals for the past three years. Some of these activities include the purchase of decontamination tents and personal protective equipment; isolation and negative pressure equipment; training activities such as ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support Courses) and ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support Courses), replacement of hospital radio base stations to name a few. The Wyoming Hospital Research & Education Foundation and the Wyoming Department of Health are excited to partner together to provide this opportunity for you. Questions on completing the grant application can be directed to Merit Thomas, Coordinator, HRSA Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program, Department of Health, 307-777-6904, or mthoma@state.wy.us.

West Park Hospital Offers Greeting Card Service To Patients

Visitors to West Park Hospital 's Web site now can easily send a greeting card to any patient in the hospital or Long Term Care Center . The service, at www.westparkhospital.org, is easy, free and accessible to far away family members of patients. Pharmacy technician Don Van Ort implemented the idea which came from a Planetree committee meeting. Planetree is a philosophy that focuses on patient-centered health care. A number of photos are available to choose from and the sender can write a personal message. Hospital staffers print the full-color cards and deliver them to the patient.

Immunization Bill Welcomed By Department of Health

The Wyoming Department of Health is welcoming a new state law that will eventually ensure all Wyoming children receive free vaccines and is working to get the expanded program up and running. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal recently signed legislation, which includes a $5 million biennium appropriation, to provide vaccines for children who do not quality under the Federal Vaccines for Children program. Once the program is implemented, all Wyoming children will receive free vaccines at participating private physician's offices, public health nursing offices, community health centers, hospitals and rural health centers that are enrolled in the program. The only cost to parents will be the administration fee or office fees charged by the healthcare provider. The Wyoming Department of Health Immunization Program has not yet determined when the program will begin.

Department of Health Begins 2006 West Nile Virus Testing

The Wyoming Department of Health has started horse and dead bird testing and surveillance for the 2006 West Nile virus season. Kelly Widenbach, surveillance epidemiologist for the Wyoming Department of Health, said 12 human West Nile infections were identified in Wyoming in 2005 with two fatal cases. The number of cases last year was much lower than during 2003 West Nile epidemic with 393 reported human WNV infections. The West Nile virus hotline number is 1-877-WYO-BITE. More information about West Nile can be found on the Wyoming Department Health's “Bad Skeeter” website at www.badskeeter.org.

Cover The Uninsured Week 2006 - You Can Help

During May 1–7, 2006 thousands of individuals and organizations from many sectors of society will join together to tell our nation's leaders that health care coverage must be their top priority. Cover the Uninsured Week 2006 will highlight the fact that nearly 46 million Americans—including more than 8 million children—are uninsured and will provide ways that everyone can help get America covered.

As part of this year's effort, there are three action steps anyone can take to get involved. Visit www.CoverTheUninsured.org . Thousands of activities will take place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as part of the Week , including press conferences, health and enrollment fairs, business events, campus activities, and interfaith events. Learn more about events taking place by viewing a state-by-state map at www.CoverTheUninsured.org/events. Event planners are also encouraged to download and order free planning guides and materials at www.CoverTheUninsured.org/materials.

State Suicide Prevention Conference Planned For Casper

The Wyoming Department of Health and the State Suicide Prevention Task Force are planning a major statewide suicide prevention conference May 17-19 in Casper . With a theme of “Building Bridges to a Better Tomorrow,” the conference will bring together more than 20 national suicide prevention experts to discuss the public health epidemic of suicide with a special emphasis on preventing youth suicide. Wyoming has the nation's highest rate of completed suicides with a 2002 rate of 21/100,000 persons, nearly twice the national average. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Wyoming residents between the ages of 15 to 24. Brochures and registration forms are available from the Wyoming Department of Health's Mental Health Division at 307-777-7094.

Wyoming AHEC

The Wyoming Area Health Education Center 's (AHEC) mission is to increase access to quality health care and to use education programs as incentives to attract and retain health care providers in the areas of need. Wyoming received $64,907 in federal grant funds for the period of September 30, 2004 through August 30, 2005 . These funds were used as partial support for personnel; for recruitment and retention activities for students and residents in health professions; for placing students in interdisciplinary, rural, clinical settings as a way to encourage health professionals to locate in rural communities; and for continuing education programs for nursing, physicians, and other health professionals. Targeted training on integrating patient nutrition information was provided to physician assistants. Finally, funds were used to promote rural practice to medical students early in their careers.