Which There is Unprotected Space Between Patients and the Public

Recommendations 52

• R03-15

  Page 115
  THE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRST DISTRICT COUNTY SUPERVISOR FOLLOW UP ON THE FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN MOTION AND DETERMINE WHAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE. FINDINGS – HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES The City of Needles has a population of 4,830, of which 1,303 citizens are on disability (25 percent of the population). The median income for Needles is $26,108. There is no available home health care. There are no hospice programs. There is no home-based food program. There is very limited affordable housing. Meetings with the Department of Aging and Adult Services, Public Health and a private practice physician reflect the following: The Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) conducted a needs assessment in the year 2001. This department worked with the State Independent Living Center’s executive director to convene a Tri-State meeting (Nevada, California, Arizona) to assess a way to address resident issues in the Tri-State area. One problem is the lack of access to medical services because only one physician in Needles accepts Medi-Cal as health insurance, creating the problem of having to transport clients needing medical services to the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) in San Bernardino. The Needles hospital (Colorado River Medical Center) does accept Medi-Cal clients, however, the physicians do not. Therefore, Medi-Cal clients can receive emergency treatment only and those clients requiring non-emergency services are referred to ARMC. 90
• R03-28

  Page 66
  INCREASE THE NURSE PRACTITIONER TIME AT THE NEEDLES PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC FROM BIWEEKLY TO WEEKLY.
• R03-29

  Page 66
  ADD THE CAPABILITY FOR COLPOSCOPY EXAMINATIONS AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC IN NEEDLES.
• R03-30

  Page 66
  INSTALL SPLATTER SCREENS IN THOSE PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC AREAS IN WHICH THERE IS UNPROTECTED SPACE BETWEEN PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS. ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL PROGRAM BACKGROUND Animal Control is responsible for the care and control of animals in San Bernardino County. Several departments share accountability: California Fish and Game, County Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures and private contractors. Agriculture/Weights and Measures has assumed the former responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which includes tracking coyotes and other wild animals. 47
• R03-31

  Page 68
  EXPAND THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM IN THE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL PROGRAM TO MEET THE INCREASED POPULATION.
• R03-32

  Page 68
  EXPAND CITY CONTRACT SERVICES FOR ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL.
• R03-33

  Page 68
  INCREASE KENNEL CAPACITY AT THE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER TO MEET GROWING NEEDS. BIO-TERRORISM BACKGROUND Public Health departments are responsible for the management of any disease or organism that could cause epidemic episodes. This program is one of containment, not of prevention. Since 9/11/01 there has been an increased emphasis on the locating and controlling of disease agents that could be considered for biological warfare, major chemical release included. These elements can be used in the form of bio-terror activity. In 1999 the Terrorism Oversight Committee and the Terrorism Early Warning group were initiated by the County Sheriff and Fire departments for overall coordination and planning. 49
• R03-34

  Page 70
  MAKE THE COUNTY POPULATION AWARE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S RELENTLESS PREPARATION AGAINST BIO-TERRORIST ACTIVITY. 51
• R03-35

  Page 73
  FORM A LIAISON BETWEEN COUNTY OFFICIALS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ADDRESS THE MEDI-CAL PROBLEMS IN THE CITY OF NEEDLES.
• R03-36

  Page 73
  PROVIDE THE SERVICES OF A NURSE PRACTITIONER IN NEEDLES EVERY WEEK.
• R03-37

  Page 73
  PROVIDE COLPOSCOPY EQUIPMENT AT THE NEEDLES PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC SO THAT PATIENTS COULD BE DIAGNOSED AND TREATED WITHOUT LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL AND A PROLONGED WAIT FOR RESULTS.
• R03-38

  Page 73
  EXTEND SOCIAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES TO PROVIDE HOSPICE, HOME HEALTH AND HOME- BASED FOOD PROGRAMS IN NEEDLES.
• R03-39

  Page 73
  CONNECT THE VIDEO LINK EQUIPMENT FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN NEEDLES. 54
• R03-40

  Page 76
  UTILIZE MARKETING STRATEGIES TO CREATE GREATER VISIBILITY OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO VETERANS. ACTIVELY WORK WITH GROUPS SUCH AS THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, AMERICAN LEGION AND THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION.
• R03-41

  Page 76
  UTILIZE THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO ACQUIRE VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST IN OFFICE TASKS AND PUBLIC CONTACT POSITIONS THAT WOULD RELIEVE PAID STAFF TO FOCUS ON CORE DEMANDS OF THIS AGENCY. 57
• R03-42

  Page 82
  TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ON ALL DISCREPANCIES NOTED BY THE AUGUST 6, 2002 SAFETY INSPECTION BY THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT’S HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DIVISION.
• R03-43

  Page 82
  ASSIGN ONE PERSON IN EACH AREA THE TASK OF “SAFETY MONITOR” TO PERFORM DOCUMENTED WEEKLY INSPECTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP TO CORRECT ANY DISCREPANCIES NOTED.
• R03-44

  Page 82
  ALLOCATE FUNDS NECESSARY TO MODIFY EXISTING WORK BAY WITH EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM ALL MAINTENANCE ON COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN LIEU OF BUILDING A NEW WORK BAY. 62
• R03-45

  Page 83
  ANALYZE FEEDBACK FROM USING CUSTOMERS TO DETERMINE A REAL NEED FOR THE USE OF THE ELECTRIC CARTS THAT ARE ON LOAN FOR A TEST.
• R03-46

  Page 83
  RECOMMEND PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC CARTS ONLY FOR COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE THE MOST NEED AND ECONOMICAL USE, (E.G. REGIONAL PARKS, COUNTY AIRPORTS, AND THE SHERIFF’S AVIATION DIVISION).
• R03-47

  Page 83
  COMPLETE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2002 BLACK & VEATCH RATE STUDY IN THE MANNER RECOMMENDED TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BY THE FLEET MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR. 63
• R03-48

  Page 85
  PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE AT PRINTING SERVICES FOR ALL CARTS AND PALLETS OF PAPER READY FOR PRESS PRODUCTION.
• R03-49

  Page 85
  RISK MANAGEMENT CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHECK (CLEAN AIR SYSTEM) IN THE PRESS AREAS.
• R03-50

  Page 85
  ALLOT ADDITIONAL SPACE TO MAIL SERVICES FOR THE PROCESSING OF BULK MAIL.
• R03-51

  Page 85
  RELOCATE MAIL SERVICES INTO THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS AREA TO PROVIDE THE SPACE NEEDED BY PRINTING AND MAIL SERVICES AND TO PROVIDE EFFICIENCY.
• R03-52

  Page 85
  PREPARE A WRITTEN PROTOCOL TO DISPOSE OF ALL SURPLUS EQUIPMENT, SEPARATING USEABLE AND NON-USEABLE SURPLUS FURNITURE AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT. 65
• R03-53

  Page 91
  EXPAND THE DUTIES OF THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION REVIEW UNIT TO INCLUDE PROVIDING PRE-TRIAL PLEA REPORTS TO THE COURT.
• R03-54

  Page 91
  THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION REVIEW UNIT SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF POTENTIAL PUBLIC DEFENDER CLIENTS.
• R03-55

  Page 91
  FILL TEMPORARILY VACANT DETENTION REVIEW OFFICER POSITIONS IN THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION REVIEW UNIT.
• R03-56

  Page 91
  REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION REVIEW UNIT. 70
• R03-57

  Page 94
  CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDS IN THE CORONER’S OFFICE.
• R03-58

  Page 94
  TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO GREATLY IMPROVE CLEANLINESS OF THE MORGUE FACILITY.
• R03-59

  Page 94
  CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL TEST OF THE AIR IN THE AUTOPSY AND FREEZER UNITS.
• R03-60

  Page 94
  UPDATE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL BY REVIEWING EVERY YEAR AND UPDATE AS NECESSARY, AS RECOMMENDED BY PREVIOUS GRAND JURIES.
• R03-61

  Page 94
  CREATE A MORE ACCURATE SYSTEM FOR RECORD KEEPING OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE WAREHOUSE.
• R03-62

  Page 94
  SEPARATE THE PROPERTY OF DECEASED INDIVIDUALS FROM PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN BY THE USE OF ADHESIVE LABELS OR PALLET RACKS. KEEP AN ITEMIZED PROPERTY INVENTORY LOG WITH EACH PROPERTY LOT, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE 2001-2002 GRAND JURY.
• R03-63

  Page 94
  LOG ALL PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION, PRIOR TO TRANSFER TO THE CORONER’S OFFICE. A COPY OF THE INVENTORY SHOULD BE KEPT AT THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, IN ADDITION TO THE CORONER’S RECORD SO A “BACK-UP” IS CREATED. 73
• R03-64

  Page 95
  PROVIDE AN ANNUAL INVENTORY OF STORED ITEMS TO THE COURT FOR AUTHORIZATION AND DISPOSAL. 74
• R03-65

  Page 99
  THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION REVIEW UNIT OF THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF POTENTIAL PUBLIC DEFENDER CLIENTS.
• R03-66

  Page 99
  THE PUBLIC DEFENDER DECLINE TO REPRESENT CLIENTS WHO CAN AFFORD TO RETAIN THEIR OWN ATTORNEY.
• R03-67

  Page 99
  EXPAND OR RELOCATE OVERCROWDED PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES.
• R03-68

  Page 99
  MAKE USE OF THE VACANT FORMER LAW LIBRARY SPACE AT THE FOOTHILL COMMUNITIES LAW AND JUSTICE CENTER (RANCHO CUCAMONGA COURTHOUSE).
• R03-69

  Page 99
  IMPROVE SECURITY BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYEES’ AREAS AT THE JUVENILE DIVISION’S CENTRAL OFFICE.
• R03-70

  Page 99
  THE COUNTY ASSUME CONTROL OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INDIGENT DEFENSE FUND.
• R03-71

  Page 99
  REFRAIN FROM REDUCTIONS IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S BUDGET WHEN SUCH BUDGET REDUCTIONS INCREASE COUNTY EXPENSES ELSEWHERE. 78
• R03-72

  Page 102
  COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO CREATE AN ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE TO HANDLE THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF INDIGENT DEFENDANTS IN CASES WHERE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAS DECLARED A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND BEEN REMOVED AS LEGAL COUNSEL. 81
• R03-73

  Page 105
  MOVE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OPERATION IN NEEDLES INTO A PORTION OF THE 4,275 SQUARE FEET OF UNUSED SPACE.
• R03-74

  Page 105
  INSTALL A PHONE SYSTEM IN THE ATTORNEY/CLIENT INTERVIEW ROOM AT THE SHERIFF’S COLORADO RIVER STATION IN NEEDLES.
• R03-75

  Page 105
  INSTALL VIDEO ARRAIGNMENT EQUIPMENT IN NEEDLES TO REDUCE THE COST OF TRANSPORTING INMATES FROM THE WEST VALLEY DETENTION CENTER TO NEEDLES.
• R03-76

  Page 105
  USE THE GRANT MONEY REQUESTED FROM THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO INSTALL A VIDEO CONFERENCE SYSTEM IN THE NEEDLES BRANCH OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE. 84
• R03-77

  Page 107
  THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SEEK LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO PENAL CODE SECTION 919(b) TO GIVE COUNTY GRAND JURIES JURISDICTION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING STATE PRISONS WITHIN THEIR COUNTY, AND REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO RESPOND TO THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. 86
• R03-78

  Page 111
  ESTABLISH A CENTRAL COMMANDER/MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN A DISASTER/EMERGENCY RECEIVE DIRECTION FROM ONE SOURCE. 88