Health Matters

Dr. Bernadette Albanese, M.D., M.P.H., medical director at the Health Department, demonstrates how easy it is to use the Health Department’s new retail food inspections online. The service is available at www.elpasocountyhealth.org.

Inspection Reports for Retail Food Establishments Available Online

   Inspection reports for retail food establishments in El Paso County are now available on the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment’s website, www.elpasocountyhealth.org.
  “We are pleased to be able to offer the public this convenient way to view detailed inspection reports,” said Executive Director Kandi Buckland, R.N., M.P.A. “Our inspectors focus on providing food safety education while conducting very thorough inspections that benefit the establishment operator and the public’s health.”
  State law requires the Health Department to conduct unannounced food safety inspections of the 2,300 retail food establishments in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Fountain and other cities, towns and areas El Paso County. Those establishments include restaurants, school cafeterias, grocery stores, burrito vendors and more. New establishments also are inspected by the Health Department before they open for business, and establishments may be inspected as a result of complaints received from the public.
  The Health Department’s inspectors are trained public health professionals with college degrees and backgrounds in the natural sciences. Inspection reports are public records, and hard copies will remain available for the public to review at the Health Department.
  Here are a few examples of the factors that Health Department inspectors review during an inspection:
   *   Is the food from an approved source and free of spoilage?
   *   Are employees working while sick? Do they wash their hands often and correctly?
   *   Is food cooked hot enough and stored cold enough to kill germs or prevent their growth?
   *   Are water and sewer systems operating appropriately to provide for sanitation?
   *   Are pests present at the facility, and are toxic or poisonous materials stored
  properly for safety?
   Inspection reports should be viewed as a “snapshot” of conditions on the day of the inspection. Only violations are reflected in the online reports. Violations that have a greater chance of causing foodborne illness-critical violations-often are corrected before the inspector leaves the establishment.
  “You can’t judge a business’s food safety practices by the cleanliness of the restrooms or eating areas,” Buckland said, “Our inspectors assess key food safety practices in many areas not visible to the public, and they educate food handlers to assure the best food safety practices.”
  The inspection reports available on the Health Department’s website include those conducted since January 2009. New inspection reports will be added as inspections are completed.
  “The public is encouraged to view inspection reports online and learn about food safety,” Buckland said.

   Hundreds of Coloradans coming home from combat duty with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have found critically needed support through Operation TBI Freedom (OTF), a statewide program of Denver Options.
  “We thought we’d pick up where we left off,” said Tona, whose husband was one of the first deployed in 2003, “but things played out very differently.” Her husband returned to work, but symptoms of PTSD made it impossible for him to stay on the job.
   Later, a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury helped the family understand his severe memory problems and anxiety. “We were about to lose our home, our children were feeling the stress and we really did not know where to turn next. Then we called Operation TBI Freedom,” Tona said. “The help we received has made all the difference. We have hope again in our future.”
   Operation TBI Freedom provides care coordination services free of charge to Colorado military and veterans with traumatic brain injury who have served in the current Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. All OTF care coordinators have expertise in human services and have served in the military. Most combat related TBIs come from blast injuries. Symptoms of TBI include fatigue, cognitive deficits, headaches, balance problems, anger and depression. Since everyone with a TBI needs different kinds of support, care coordinators customize each support plan, finding low cost and free services to meet unique needs.

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RATTLESNAKE BITES: WHAT TO DO (AND WHAT NOT TO DO!)’

BY DR. JAMES ZIMMER
   Recently there have been two serious rattlesnake bites to individuals in the Fountain Valley area. 
    Although only about 10-15% of venomous bites are severe, death can result if not treated quickly and properly.
    The first step is to not panic!
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Shaping health care reform in Colorado

by Anne Warhover, President and CEO The Colorado Health Foundation

 As national health care reform makes its way to Colorado, emotionally charged opinions, political maneuvering and even a Constitutional challenge, will greet its arrival. The one thing on which we can all agree is these reforms will affect what, how and to whom health care is delivered- and at what cost-for generations to come.
One of the biggest challenges is how to achieve true value through health care quality improvement and controlling costs. But, what exactly would these achievements look like in practical application? How do we reconcile national mandates in a way that positively impacts the lives of real families and businesses in Colorado?
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