Wabasha County Public Health adds support tools to improve client health.

Wabasha County SHIP invited the American Lung Association of Minnesota (ALAMN) to present on tobacco to Wabasha County Public Health in December of 2017 which expanded into an important partnership.  ALAMN provided the Wabasha County Public Health department with a CoVita Smokerlyzer® - a device to test Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels.

CO is a poisonous gas that emits in car exhaust, fumes and tobacco smoke. CO, tar and nicotine are the main components found in tobacco smoke, and all have health risks. The Smokerlyzer can test the amount of CO in the air or breath. This is a non-invasive way of showing the level of CO in the blood. Within 24 to 48 hours of not smoking, a smoker can be at non-smoker levels. Something as simple as cutting back on smoking can better a person’s life and make positive health changes.

Wabasha County Public Health wants to give community members this incredible opportunity to have their CO levels tested, and will use the monitor on tobacco smokers for clients of WIC, MCH and Home and Community-Based Services. This is a wonderful tool that can judge the severity of a client’s dependence to tobacco and can be a motivational opportunity that may help change a client’s life.  Reducing smoking not only helps Wabasha County Public Health clients, but also their loved ones and others around them. A CO monitor can detect second and third hand smoke in a person’s lungs, even an unborn fetus. This is an instant feedback that can encourage healthier living.

Current and future Women Infants and Children, Maternal Child Health, and Home and Community based Services Clients will be asked by their home visiting nurse, or in the office if they would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Nurses in these programs will be doing assessments and speaking with clients on an individual basis.  SHIP staff has also created a CO tracker for clients to see the changes they are making in their quit attempts and CO levels. Along with the monitoring device and tracker, clients will also be given the opportunity to work with public health staff trained in motivational interviewing through SHIP support. Other cessation materials will be given to clients to help them continue on their road to quitting. Wabasha County Public Health is truly going above and beyond to support their clients and help them through every step of their health changes.

Wabasha Ambulance Service launched home safety checks for seniors in Wabasha County.

The Wabasha County Senior Action Team has been supporting a falls prevention program conducted by Wabasha Ambulance Service. The team was awarded a Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grant to provide home safety checks as a tool to help seniors reduce their risk of falls and live longer in their homes. 

Wabasha County Senior Action Team is helping lead the safety check pilot program, which launched last fall. Senior health was a top priority identified in the recent Community Health Needs Assessment.

Wabasha Ambulance staff have been making in-home visits, which include a walk-through of the home and entryways, an optional blood pressure check, safety recommendations and resources. A follow-up call will be placed to the resident to do see what progress has been made to reduce falls risks and to identify if changes need to be made to the program. The goal is to complete 24 checks during the pilot phase, review and refine the process and launch a sustainable program through Wabasha County Ambulance. 

The pilot’s initial target population included residents age 55 and older who wish to remain in their homes, want to reduce their risk of falls and have participated in one of Wabasha County’s five senior classes. Those classes include Matter of Balance, Living Well with Chronic Conditions, Living Well With Chronic Pain, Tai Ji Quan, Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Fit City Seniors (to learn more about these classes, call Wabasha County Public Health at 651-565-5200 or go to www.wellconnectsemn.org).  The project has branched out beyond the initial target group to include long-term care!

During a Senior Action Team meeting which occured on January 4th, it was discussed, they are waiting for feedback from Wabasha Ambulance and they will plan to evaluate the project soon.  SHIP looks forward to hearing how the process is going and how they may adapt to keep the project sustainable.

Mini grant applications were due February 23, 2018. A second round will take place with a deadline to be announced.  If you would like information on what it means to partner with Wabasha County SHIP on healthy eating, physical activity, and/or tobacco-free environment projects, please email Tina Moen or call her at 651-565-5200.