Need to find a file? There’s no shortage at health department

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Tonnya Robinson pulls some records in the health department’s new records room. The room, part of a recent expansion, allows patient records to be stored in a secure environment that meets HIPAA privacy regulations. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

The Warren County Health Department recently completed a 770-square-foot addition that began around six months ago. The front office was expanded and a separate storage room was added so patient records could be stored privately rather than in the front office.

Funds for the project were provided by the state Department of Health since the majority of the improvements were required due to the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations that necessitate more stringent privacy measures with regard to medical records.

Health department director Glenda Holland said the expansion has been a boon for employees and clients alike.

“It gave us lots more room,” Holland said. “The girls out front were having to walk around copy machines and rows of charts to get to and from their work stations. Now it’s moved all the charts back in the back in the new addition and they’ve got plenty of room. It’s done a lot for morale.”

The lobby has also been modified and dividers added to provide more privacy for client interviews.

“Patients can’t hear from one window to the other now,” Holland said.

The expansion allowed for some other modifications as well.

“We moved primary care,” Holland said. “We had two clinics up front that we moved to the back that gave us lots more office space.”

The expansion, designed by architect Derek Clemow and built by Johnson Builders, was finished Jan. 5, but the staff is still in the process of moving and reorganizing.

“We’re still getting it moved around,” Holland said. “It was done in steps because we had to clear out the front office and move all the charts into the new room so they could do the flooring. So we worked out of side rooms for about a week.

“It was difficult for a while, but we continued seeing patients and we lived through it. And now it’s beautiful,” she added.

The office staff was very much pleased with the expansion and the extra space it afforded.

“I like it,” said employee Patricia Torres. “We have a lot more room. It’s more spacious, more professional, it’s cleaner, brighter, much better for the public and us.”

Those who visit the health department will find a whole new look, something Holland says will help her staff achieve its main goal – to serve the community in the best atmosphere and most efficient and pleasant manner possible.