RCHC Community Project Abstracts

Back to subject search page or search by preceptor site Recommended Techniques for Safe and Environmentally-conscious Disposal of Un-needed prescriptions in Madras, Oregon Project Date: 4/28/2008 The proper disposal of expired or unused prescription medications continues to be an ongoing problem in the United States with no standardized disposal technique in place at a federal level or, in Oregon, even a state level. This study was designed to examine the current disposal technique Madras residents utilize to dispose of unused or expired outpatient medications as well as to provide a comparison as to what happens in an inpatient setting at the pharmacy and home health/hospice associated with the MountainView Hospital. The design was an informal survey of patients in clinic regarding their disposal habits as well as querying the MountainView pharmacists and hospice nurses as to their current protocol for medication disposal. Further phone calls were made to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy and the DEQ in regards to their recommendations for proper disposal techniques. Previously, there was no information available to patients for proper techniques to purge unneeded medications; therefore the final product of this project was the development of a patient handout to inform Madras residents of the most appropriate and environmentally friendly mechanisms of pharmaceutical disposal. Furthermore, as there is no organized collection system for outdated or unused medications anywhere in Oregon, an additional component of the project was to create a proposal for the Madras Medical Group to use as a long term community solution for the problem of proper medication disposal “Revenge of the Turquoise Blob” or "A Toxic Algae Bloom in Siltcoos Lake" Project Date: 9/10/2007 Siltcoos Lake located 6 miles south of Florence, OR is the sole source of drinking water for approximately 300 people who live on or near it. It also serves as a recreational destination for fishing, swimming, camping, and boating. On September 18th, 2007 an advisory was issued for residents to avoid all contact with the waters of Siltcoos Lake due to a toxic algae bloom. This project attempts the following; 1. Identify the potential health risks associated with contacting or ingesting waters contaminated with toxic blue-green algae. 2. Estimate the actual numbers and types of illness that might be attributable to exposure the Siltcoos waters. 3. Identify resources for health care providers that help them to recognize blue-green algae toxicity, and resources that aid in treatment of toxic exposures. Stroke Disease in Klamath Falls: Public Awareness of Symptoms and Risk Factors Project Date: 2/13/2006 Cerebrovascular accidents are serious medical events that are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. In the case of thrombotic or embolic strokes, early intervention with thrombolytic therapy often leads to improved outcomes. However, early intervention often depends upon patient and public awareness of stroke symptoms and understanding of the need to seek medical attention promptly. This study attempted to determine knowledge of stroke disease and risk factors of residents of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This was accomplished by a voluntary, written survey of outpatients at the Klamath Family Practice Center (KFPC). The survey was designed to determine patient knowledge of stroke causes, symptoms, and risk factors, as well as patients’ individual risk factors for stroke and the distance they live from the local hospital emergency room. Analysis of survey responses showed deficiencies in patient knowledge of causes of stroke (57% sensitivity, 86% specificity), risk factors of stroke disease (57% sensitivity, 86% specificity), and symptoms of a stroke (67% sensitivity, 81% specificity). Additionally, there was little or no correlation between individual patients’ risk factors and their knowledge of stroke disease and its symptoms. Based on the results of the survey, efforts were made to improve public awareness of stroke symptoms and risk factors. Pediatric Poisonings- Epidemiology and Prevention. Portland Oregon Project Date: 8/8/2005 There are more than four million incidents of poisonings in the United States each year. The institute of Medicine identified poisoning as the second leading cause of injury-related mortality, with an estimate of economic cost at $12.6 billion annually based on societal lifetime cost of injury. Hospital admissions for poisoning are the second leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for all ages in Oregon (Poison Press 2004). In this study I have evaluated the impact of poisonings in children under the age of 13 in the Portland community by reviewing hospital records, obtaining Oregon Poison Center data, and surveying and interviewing members of the community. In an effort to increase awareness of poisonings in pediatrics and decrease their prevalence and severity I have created a poster. This poster along with fliers and handouts from the poison center has been placed in local clinics and hospitals. Poisoning Cases in Grant County, OR Project Date: 8/9/2004 Poisonings represent a major public health problem, however, specific causes may be community-specific. Often poisoning cases presenting to an ER are managed by boarded emergency medicine physicians, trained in managing toxicology cases; however, in a small community like John Day, OR, the ER is staffed entirely by primary care physicians. This study examined all poisoning cases presenting to the Blue Mountain Hospital’s Emergency Department in 2000-2003, with the intent of characterizing this community’s toxicology patterns and medical management. The goal was to determine which educational resources could be provided to the community (patients and/or physicians) to most effectively reduce poisonings or improve management of poisoning cases. Sixty cases meeting the study’s criteria were reviewed, and it was determined the hospital’s physicians do not currently need further education about toxicology resources or management of a poisoning patient. However, teenagers and parents of toddlers have the greatest potential for effective education regarding poisonings, and recommendations for future projects to address these needs are discussed. Chronic Sequelae Of Pesticide Exposure Project Date: 9/24/2001 Over the past few decades, the use of pesticides for agricultural and domestic use has increased tremendously. As this has allowed for increased availability and decreased prices of various crops, it is also accompanied by serious environmental and public health expenses. While the availability of the chemicals has increased, specific toxicological data has not; currently, less than half of the 600+ active pesticide ingredients on the market have adequate toxicology reports. Animal studies and accidental human over-exposures have revealed much information about the nature of acute toxicities, but less is known about the long term effects of exposure to these various chemicals. Few studies have been performed that assess the chronic sequelae of frequent, low-level exposure to pesticides. This paper is an attempt to compile the known effects of exposure to various pesticides. To elucidate which pesticide causes specific sequelae is a difficult task. The majority of workers are exposed to a variety of chemicals; often times the exact compounds are unknown to the workers. Therefore, most effects mentioned reflect the use of a general class of pesticide. Back to subject search page or search by preceptor site