Oregon Health Authority calls Crook County public-health work 'exemplary' in Triennial Review; modernization plan remains active

Liz Hunt, acting local and tribal public health manager at the Oregon Health Authority, and Jamie Coleman, public health systems consultant, presented the results of Crook County's Triennial Review for 2021'2024 at the county board meeting on Nov. 5.

Hunt said reviewers found multiple program strengths and repeatedly praised the county's staff and regional partnerships. "Crook County Health Department is a respected leader in their community, a trusted resource of information for public health and safety," Hunt said, reading highlights from the review.

The review covered 12 program areas. Reviewers noted the Babies First program served more than 40 clients and recorded 191 nurse visits during the review period, with a focus on prenatal enrollment and improved birth outcomes. The communicable-disease program processed 138 electronic laboratory reports, interviewed 46 cases of reportable disease and worked collaboratively with Deschutes County on one outbreak investigation. Reviewers described drinking-water, food and pool inspections, immunization outreach, vital records processing, and public-health emergency preparedness as areas with strong staff performance and good regional coordination.

Hunt told commissioners the county had documented several findings during the review, but that OHA and county staff closed those findings promptly. Examples included updating a blood-borne-pathogen exposure plan and clarifying fiscal and inspection documentation; all issues were resolved in the close-out period, Hunt said.

Commissioners asked staff to continue posting modernization work and to keep the board apprised of staffing and fiscal needs. "We really appreciate the strong regional partnership model you've built," Hunt said of the county's collaboration with neighboring counties; she urged the board to complete the county modernization plan due at the end of the year.

What this means: the Triennial Review confirmed that core public-health responsibilities are being met at the county level, OHA said, and it identified documentation and process improvements that county staff have already resolved. The review also highlighted the county's active role in regional public-health modernization and staff capacity-building.