Facts and Data

The Department of Health Services has hired Integrity First Consulting Inc, to help develop a compliance education to ensure compliance with Indian Health Services, as well as state and federal operational standards. In addition, the department secured three Public Health Emergency Response and Emergency Preparedness grants, which enabled the purchase of a new refrigerator for pharmacy, medication and computer laptops for personnel working in the field. Also, the grant provided CPR/AED/First Aid training dollars to increase department personnel skill levels. Tribal Council approved the construction of a new health facility, which will allow citizens to access health services on-site versus accessing services at community based health facilities.

Contract Health Services (CHS)

 CHS annual funding was increased from $1 million to $1.1 million dollars. CHS worked to bring the program into compliance with claims and payment standards. Audits of the program identified a need for greater access to the Band's financial system. Through approval of the Pokagon Band Finance Committee, CHS was granted access to Great Plains Accounting System, which reduced the turn around time in processing of health care claims.

Medical Clinic

The DOHS recognized the necessity to utilize nurses. The department hired two registered nurses who were instrumental in assisting with patient care provisions, redesign of medical process flow and the preliminary development of the specialized health services (endocrinology, cardiology, podiatry). With the increased need for patient health care services, there was also redesign of the medical clinic infrastructure to accommodate more visits. The redesign remodeled two existing exam rooms and added a third exam room.

Pharmacy

With the redesign of the medical clinic layout in 2010, the DOHS was permitted to create a new space for pharmacy services. As a result of this transformation, the pharmacy received its licensure from the Drug Enforcement Administration. This licensure is the first since the original opening of the medical clinic.These operational improvements have brought about the hiring of a full-time clinical pharmacist, and pharmacy technician.These improvements also provided the opportunity to implement an automated pharmacy system to streamline pharmacy operations and to provide new medication service products to citizens.

Behavioral Health Program (BHP)

Behavioral Health received its commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or CARF, in 2010. The one-year accreditation awarded certification for five programs. These programs included; case management/services coordination; integrated behavioral health primary care for adults; and outpatient treatment for children and adults. Renewal of the accreditation will take place in 2011. In addition, BHP hired two social workers to meet citizens counseling needs and other services related needs. The BHP designed a new meeting and conference room for educational use which provided the opportunity to present Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for willing citizens.