- How can I find out more about the Basic Health Plan?
- How do I obtain public assistance services (medical help, food stamps and other resources)?
- What immunizations do children need for starting school and where can they get them?
- How can I get immunization ("shot") records?
- Do people have a right to get copies of their medical records?
- How do I get copies of my personal health record from the health department?
- Where are copies of local birth certificates available?
- How can I get a food handler permit?
- How can I check the current status of a Washington licensed, registered or certified health care provider?
- How do I make a complaint about a Washington health professional or hospital?
- Does the health department provide birth control services?
- How can a pregnant woman apply for acceptance into the WIC program?
- How should I treat my child for head lice?
- Where can I get treatment for my child's ear infection without health insurance or medical coupons?
- Where can a person be tested for a sexually transmitted disease?
- Where can I get more information about body lice?
- Where can I find information about West Nile virus?
- What should I do if I find a dead bird?
- What is greywater? How can I dispose of it safely?
- How can I get rid of mold in my home?
- How can I find out if there is arsenic in my drinking water?
- Are insect fogging products (bug bombs) safe to use in my home?
1. How can I find out more about the Washington Basic Health Plan?
Clark County Health Department Washington Basic Health information.
Washington State Health Care Authority Basic Health Web site
http://www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov/
2. How do I obtain public assistance services?
These resources are available through the Department of Social and Heath Services.
3. What immunizations do children need for starting school and where can they get them?
Plan to get immunizations as early as possible to avoid the last-minute rush. The Health Department immunization clinic is open for walk-in services on weekdays - exceptions: every Tuesday and Thursday and/or on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The office can provide information about what types of immunizations are needed and when. Most childhood immunizations are $8.00. Immunizations are available at other locations, too. Recorded information is available by calling (360) 397-8401. The clinic number is (360) 397-8089.
For more information about what immunizations school-age children need, see the Washington State Department of Health childhood immunization pages.
4. How can I get immunization ("shot") records?
People are surprised to learn that presently there is no centralized state-level computer that maintains immunization records. To get immunization records from your medical provider, you need to contact the physician, medical center or local health jurisdiction that provided the immunizations.
5. Do people have a right to get copies of their medical records?
Yes. However, the Washington State Department of Health only has jurisdiction over private practitioners to determine what fees providers may set for charging for copies of medical records. This is adjusted based on changes in the consumer price index. The providers don't have to release the medical records until they are paid for the copies. Providers may charge a clerical fee for searching and handling records, and a "cents per page" charge for copying and providing the records. If you have trouble getting a provider to release the copies, the civil remedies are within the court system. See RCW 70.02 for the law. The civil remedies are in 70.02.170. If a provider refuses to provide copies under this law, then an unprofessional conduct complaint may be in order. See complaint information under question #10 below.
Information about your privacy rights
6. How do I get copies of my personal health record from the health department?
Information about obtaining your Clark County Health Department medical record
7. Where are copies of local birth certificates available?
Information about obtaining a local birth certificate
8. How can I get a food handler permit?
Information about food worker testing and obtaining a food card
For additional questions, please call (360) 397-8428.
9. How can I check the current status of a Washington licensed, registered or certified health care provider?
Search a Washington provider's credentials through the Washington State Department of Health Professions Quality Assurance search engine:
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/Application/Credential_Search/profile.asp
10. How do I make a complaint about a Washington health professional or hospital?
Registering a complaint with the State Department of Health.
11. Does the health department provide birth control services?
The health department Family Planning Clinic provides low cost and confidential birth control services, including complete physicals. Pregnancy testing and counseling are also provided, as are referrals to other providers for terminations. For appointment information, call (360) 397-8089.
A health educator is available for speaking to school and community groups. Call (360) 397-8254 to arrange a presentation.
12. How can a pregnant woman apply for acceptance into the WIC program?
You may be eligible for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program if you are pregnant and/or have children under the age of five and meet certain income guidelines. Through WIC you can receive payment vouchers for nutritious food each month, as well as breast feeding information and support, and nutrition and health information for your child. For more information call (360) 397-8459.
13. How should I treat my child for head lice?
Sites with information about head lice and how to treat it in your child:
Headlice.org
http://www.headlice.org/
Harvard University School of Public Health
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html
University of Kentucky Entomology
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef607.htm
The Washington State Department of Health Lindane (head lice pesticide) fact sheet
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Pest/Lindane-factsheet.pdf
14. Where can I get treatment for my child's ear infection without health insurance or medical coupons?
Non-emergency illnesses can be treated at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington: http://www.freeclinics.org/
15. Where can a person be tested for a sexually transmitted disease?
You can call the health department clinic for information and an appointment to be screened, tested and treated confidentially and anonymously.
Testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS are also available by calling (360) 397-8425.
16. Where can I get more information about body lice?
For information, contact the Washington State Department of Health STD Education, or telephone (360) 236-3498.
17. Where can I find information about West Nile virus?
Clark County Mosquito Control District information about West Nile virus.
18. What should I do if I find a dead bird?
Dead bird reporting related to West Nile virus.
19. What is greywater? How can I dispose of it safely?
Washington State Department of Health information about residential greywater.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/WW/GreywaterFact.PDF
20. How can I get rid of mold in my home?
Department of Health fact sheet about indoor mold.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/IAQ/Got_Mold.html
21. How can I find out if there is arsenic in my drinking water?
Washington State Department of Health fact sheet about arsenic http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/our_main_pages/arsenic.htm
Questions and answers for consumershttp://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/fact_sheets/331-167_5-1-2_Arsenic_in_Drinking_Water_Q&A_With_Graphics_.pdf
22. Are insect fogging products (bug bombs) safe to use in my home?
Washington State Department of Health information about pesticide fogging at home: http://www3.doh.wa.gov/here/materials/CRA_Detail.aspx?ID=260
