BUSINESS OPERATIONS SERVICES

Business Operations Services staff implemented the federally mandated requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in April. It is estimated that HIPAA required nearly $1 million in staff time and resources to comply with this unfunded mandate.

The Health Department participated in a national and international emergency response exercise for a full week in May called TOPOFF2, which was carried out in conjunction with the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The Health Department tested its medications dispensing plans at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Governor Tom Ridge, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and DuPage County Chairman Robert Schillerstrom visited the site. The event was featured in news coverage in the local, Chicago and national media. Pro-Net, the Health Department’s Internet-based surveillance system, was also tested during TOPOFF2.

Dr. Eric Whitaker, the new director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, visited the Health Department for a full day in day in June.

In October, the Department kicked off DuPage County’s Illinois Project for the Local Assessment of Needs. IPLAN is a planning process developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health to meet re-certification requirements set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code. State code requires local health departments to re-certify every five years. IPLAN fulfills the requirement for certification and represents a core function of Public Health. The IPLAN process involves community participation in the identification of priority community health problems, and the completion of a community health needs assessment and community health plan. A steering committee, including leadership from within our local Public Health system, will meet monthly through October, 2004, to complete IPLAN 2010. Planning and evaluation staff from the Office of the Deputy Executive Director is facilitating and supporting the IPLAN process.

Communications with the news media and the public showed significant increases on numerous Public Health issues, as well as promotions for proactive, positive programs in all service units.

Dr. Rashmi Chugh was appointed Medical Officer of the DuPage County Health Department in 2003.

A delegation from the Republic of Korea Food and Drug Administration visited the Health Department in December.

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