Welcome to the June Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
COVID-19 Update
Daisy Award Nominee
Sunshine Award Nominee
COVID-19 Safety
Hospital Services
COVID-19 Testing
Guy Okakok SR. Leadership Award
Guiding Principles
Cataracts Awareness Month
Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA)
Social Services Outreach
Tribal Child Care
ASNA Radio Hour

Dental Clinic Village Schedule
Eye Clinic Schedule
Specialty Clinics
SSMH Medicaid/Medicare Outreach Schedule
Medical Provider Village Schedule

Welcome!

The Iñupiaq translation for June is Iġñivik. It is the month when communities celebrate their whale festivals, people hunt seals and go off to traditional campsites.
In this issue, we have an update regarding COVID-19 in the ASNA service area, Daisy/Sunshine Award nominees, cataracts awareness and much more.

COVID-19 Update

At this time, our region has experienced four (4) individuals with test results that detected the presence of COVID-19.  Three (3) are residents of the North Slope, and one (1) is an individual who travelled to the North Slope.  Here is a summary of these cases:

• On May 27th the first case was reported.  A North Slope resident received a rapid test on May 22nd at Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital.  The rapid test had a negative result, but the second confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test processed at Alaska Native Medical Association (ANMC) yielded a positive result.  Subsequent PCR tests came back negative and, per CDC guidelines, the patient was determined to be a recovered case.
• On June 17th a resident receiving medical services at ANMC received a rapid test.  The result of the rapid test was positive, but the PCR test result was negative.  The resident received a second PCR test which also had a negative result. Also now, determined to be a recovered case.
• On June 18th, a non-resident tested positive for COVID-19.  They arrived in our region on June 15th and received a rapid test at the airport, which had a negative result.  On June 16th, the individual traveled back to their home community of Anchorage.  On June 18th, ANMC informed ASNA that the additional PCR test performed on this individual detected the presence of COVID-19.
• On June 18th, a positive PCR test result was received for a resident that had been tested on June 16th at their village clinic.

With each case, the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology and the North Slope Borough Public Health Nursing team coordinate efforts for contact tracing with the individuals, and to ensure that appropriate precautions have been taken. 

ASNA continues to work with the North Slope Borough Emergency Operations Center and the State of Alaska to monitor cases and respond as needed.

These experiences have reinforced two key ideas around controlling the spread of COVID-19: first, it is very important that people participate in COVID-19 testing and, second, the personal protective measures like social distancing, safe hygiene practices, and wearing a face covering in public all help to keep us healthy and safe.  Thank you very much to everyone who has made time to get tested for COVID-19.

According to CDC guidelines this years celebration of Nalukataq would be considered the highest risk of transmission of the COVID-19 disease.  “Highest Risk” is defined as follows: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.

ASNA would like to encourage prospective attendees to take extra precautionary measures during this year’s celebrations.  Below is a list of of practices we can all take to lower the transmission rate and safely enjoy Nalukataq.  Quyanaq.

• Stay Home if you feel sick
• Wear a Face-Covering
• Practice Hand Hygiene
• Practice Social Distancing wherever possible
• Use Disposable Utensils
• Monitor Children and keep them close
• If you are at risk of developing serious complications from the disease consider Sending Someone to collect a share for you

For more information about CDC Guidelines about large gatherings CLICK HERE.

For more information on Travel Safety Guidelines CLICK HERE.

SSMH began a phased re-opening last month with dental services being the first department to accept appointments for emergency and preventative care. 

For more information please call 907.852.4611

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. A polymerase chain reaction creates copies of very small amounts of DNA or RNA sequences which are exponentially amplified for detection of viruses for the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

A PCR test takes 4-7 days to yield results because the sample needs to be shipped off slope for processing.  The PCR test is more accurate and is provided as a confirmatory test with the rapid test.  For every rapid test collected by Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital(SSMH), a confirmatory PCR sample is also collected.

We currently have 2 testing sites operational: a mobile site at Wiley Post/Will Rogers Memorial Airport for passengers travelling into the North Slope, and the drive-thru site located behind the hospital near the ER entrance.

To receive a test please call 833.852.4622

The purpose is to provide an academic scholarship to eligible North Slope tribal members who are interested in post-secondary health care, social services, or health-related certificate program.

Scholarship awardees will receive up to $2,500 per semester or $5,000 per academic year, based on need. This is a one (1) time, non-continuing scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. Applicants must complete the initial ASNA Scholarship application process by June 30, 2020.  Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

June is National Cataracts Awareness Month

Cataract develops when proteins in the eye form clumps, preventing normal movement of light through the eye, to the retina.  The lens becomes cloudy, and objects appear blurry, hazy, or faded in color. The condition can be treated surgically.

Cataracts can be detected with routine eye exams. Ages 60 and over are recommended to get an exam at least once every 2 years.

If cataracts are left untreated, they can worsen and cause blindness. Treatment for cataract eye disease is always cataract surgery. In this surgery, an ophthalmologist will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens.

Symptoms of Cataract:

•          Clouded or blurred vision
•          Double vision
•          Difficulty in seeing during the night
•          Sensitivity to light and glare
•          Need for brighter than normal light to read or see objects
•          Seeing halo around lights
•          Seeing objects in faded or yellow color
•          Eye pain
•          Headache due to changes in vision

Social Services Outreach

The Social Services Department administers programs for residents throughout the North Slope, including job placement, higher education scholarships, adult vocational training, family preservation, Indian Child Welfare assistance, preventative behavioral health services, tribal childcare, medical and burial assistance. If you need assistance with applying for any of these programs, please schedule an appointment with social services.

For information or questions, please contact Qiilu Yazzie, ICWA Program Manager  at

Cell Phone: 907.367.6237 between 8am to 5pm or email:  Qiiluu.Yazzie@arcticslope.org

ASNA Radio Hour

This schedule is subject to change at any time due to changes with KBRW scheduling or any unforeseen medical emergencies.

Dental Clinic Village Schedule

Eye Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Eye Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9291 | E-mail:  eyeclinic@arcticslope.org

Specialty Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik

• Sleep Studies:     June 15-19
• EGD Clinic:     June 29-30
• ENT/Audio Clinic:     July 7-9

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9284 | Toll Free: 888.525.7764

Medicaid/Medicare Outreach

SSMH Outreach and Enrollment staff will be traveling to the following villages to help patients with enrollment in Medicaid and/or Medicare, senior benefits, and other public assistance programs:

• Due to COVID-19, Village Travel is cancelled until further notice

Medicaid can also help pay for medical travel including flights, hotels, and food. If you are pregnant, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Patient services paid by Medicaid or Medicare will allow SSMH to invest in new services.  If you have questions, please contact

SSMH Patient Benefits at Telephone: 907.852.9365 | Toll Free: 888.525.7764

Medical Provider Village Schedule

Subject to travel limitations due to COVID-19, ASNA is very sensitive to the needs and wishes of our member villages and with the approval of the village, we continue to provide patient urgent care needs through Village Health travel.

All dates subject to change.  To schedule your appointment with the SSMH Provider, please call your NSB Village Health Clinic to ensure your name is on the list with your current phone number(s).

Resources

ASNA/SSMH Press Releases

Nalukataq Safety

Rapid and PCR Testing

Primary Care Clinic

Eye Clinic

NURSING

• Nurse Case Manager (2 Positions)
• Nurse Manager-Primary Care
• Patient Care Technician I (PCT) PRN
• Patient Care Technician I (PCT) Temporary
• Patient Care Technician I (PCT)
• Primary Care Nurse (2 Positions)
• Registered Nurse Emergency Room
• Registered Nurse Inpatient
• Registered Nurse – LDRP
• Registered Nurse Primary Care (2 Positions)
• Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist (PRN) On-Call

PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE

• Mammographer X-Ray Technologist
• Pharmacist
• Pharmacist (Temporary)
• Staff Dentist (Available 8/2020 & 12/2020)

SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES

• Certified Coder
• Clinical Laboratory Assistant
• Clinical Supervisor
• Elder Care Specialist On-Call
• Family Preservation Coordinator
• Facilities Administrative Assistant
• Food Service Kitchen Helper (Temporary)
• Healthy Family Advocate – Barrow
• Healthy Family Advocate – revised AKP or BRW or KAK
• Healthy Family Advocate – revised Nuiqsut
• Housing Housekeeper
• Housekeeper
• Housekeeper (PRN)
• Manager of Customer Experience & Risk
• Maintenance Laborer (Offsite Facilities)
• Maintenance Specialist I (Offsite Facilities)
• Maintenance Specialist II
• OJT Dental Assistant (2 Positions)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Night)
• Quality Assurance Associate
• Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst

Please visit us at https://arcticslope.org/careers/job-openings/ to find out how to apply online, Thank You!

• Independence Day     July 3, 2020

In observance of the upcoming holidays, the ASNA and SSMH offices will be closed with exception of the ER/emergency department and all other staff essential for emergency medical care.

The front entryway of SSMH will be closed; please enter through the ER, or southeast end of the building.