ADMINISTRATION

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE!!!

When you work for the Mason County Health Department you are like the Invisible Man.  If you do your job well, no one knows you're there.  No one talks about the case of meningitis they didn't get, or the water coming out of the faucet that's safe to drink.  No one mentions the elderly aunt who is still living at home because someone from the health department is attending to her daily needs.  We really appreciate the opportunity to let you know just what the "Invisible man" is doing.

Mason County Health Department offers 3 basic types of services; environmental services, nursing services and community care services.  Business people in the community may already be aware of our environmental health programs.  Our health inspectors completed 198 visits to Mason County food establishments last year.  They advised restaurant & grocery managers on the food preparation and storage procedures that help safeguard our food supply.  Our staff inspected wells and septic systems to ensure they were installed according to code.

In 2002 , our Environmental Health Program provided well water testing on 284 water samples. We think you might find the results interesting.  Elevated nitrate levels were found in 41 samples and elevated coliform levels were found in only 34 samples .  Initially, we assumed that our contamination level might be high, but this was not the case.

In addition to our Environmental Health Programs, we also provide a number of nursing services.  The most visible of these is probably the immunization program.  In 2000 , we tortured over 2700 kids , providing most of the necessary immunizations in the county.  We also gave over 750 flu and pneumonia shots, making our county a much safer place to live.

Our communicable disease staff provides consultation and investigation for communicable diseases such as TB or Meningitis.  We suggest medications and treatment guidelines to physicians.  We also ensure that family members are treated and the spread of the disease is prevented.

RNs provide a number of other services such as diabetes and cholesterol exams, blood pressure screening and referral, blood lead tests, vision and hearing screening and the WIC nutrition program.  Prevention education is a major focus of several or our programs.  We reached 1300 people last year with classes on smoking, nutrition, and adolescent health.

The nursing picture would be incomplete if we didn't tell you about our primary care clinics.  This is a rather unique feature of the Mason County Health Department as many Health Departments do not provide hands on care.

We have a Well Child Clinic that is now in its 19th year.  The clinic is staffed by Cindy Chaffin, a family nurse practitioner.  Operated on a semimonthly basis, the clinic provides exams to approximately 400 children between birth and age 3.

Our Prenatal Clinic makes life for expectant mothers in Mason County a little easier.  Doctors from Peoria's University of Illinois School of Medicine come to our health department each week to provide prenatal exams on pregnant women.  Mothers deliver at Methodist Medical Center.

The 3rd on-site clinic is our Women's Health Clinic.  U of I School of Medicine physicians provided over 200 pap smears, pelvic exams and breast exams to Mason County women last year.  Our Family planning nurse gives extensive counseling on family planning, contraception, abstinence and reproductive health.

If you are concerned about the well being of an elderly loved one, you will be interested in our Community Care Program.  Trained employees provide personal care, meal preparation, housekeeping and shopping services to clients over 60.  Transportation is also a part of our list of services.  Clients who had not been out and about for months are now enjoying outings to the beauty shop and grocery store.

Perhaps now, the invisible man has been revealed.  Next time you see a healthy child unaffected by measles or whopping cough, you'll know your health department has been at work.  As you enjoy a glass of sparkling clean water, you will feel confident that the health department has ensured its safety.  You will know your elderly aunt can spend a few more months at home although she can no longer cook and clean.  We are here.  We're not flashy, or showy.  We are steady and consistent.  Next time you need something, give us a call!

If you need information about any of the programs mentioned in this article, please call the Mason County Health Department (309)543-2201.

Mason County Health Department
Route 136 East
Havana, IL 62644
(309) 543-2201

E-mail: mchd@grics.net