Welcome to the
Madison County Health Department

To protect, promote and improve the health of our community

Serving Madison County, KY

Richmond
859-623-7312
Berea
859-986-1192

mchd@madisoncountyhealthdept.org

On-line scheduling is NOT available. Please call our clinics to schedule appointments.

Hours of Operation

Clinic
Mon, 8AM-6PM
Tues-Thurs, 8AM-4:30PM
Fri, 8AM-12PM

H.A.N.D.S.
Mon, 8AM-6PM
Tues, 9:30AM-6PM
Wed-Thurs, 8AM-4:30PM
Fri, 8AM-12PM

Environmental, MEPCO and Administration
Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM

After Hours

Public Health and Environmental Emergencies Only

859-623-7312 option 8

Our Latest Tweets

Community Survey Gives Madison County a Health Check-up

Madison County residents get the chance to take part in the county’s health and safety “check-up” by completing a brief online survey.

“You can compare the survey with going to the doctor for a yearly check-up--the doctor can’t give you a complete diagnosis without your input,” said Madison County Health Department Public Information Officer Kelley McBride.

“For this survey to benefit Madison County we need to hear from the people in our community,” said McBride.

Every five years the Madison County Health Department conducts a community health survey to assess the needs and concerns of Madison County residents regarding the level of health across the county. The results of the online survey are used to provide direction to the Health Department in setting their goals across the next few years. The survey is an essential tool in guiding efficient use of the resources of the Madison County Health Department. Survey data helps the agency to concentrate its efforts in the most effective way.

“The Health Department will focus on the top concerns provided by the results of the survey, so it’s vital to have as many people as possible participate in the survey,” said McBride.

The community survey is available in both English and Spanish and can be found at the links listed below.

Paper versions of the survey will be available at Health Department clinics and other locations to be announced later.

Madison County Health and Safety Survey
Encuesta de Salud y Seguridad del Condado de Madison

November 15, 4:00AM-3:45PM
Madison County Extension Office
230 Duncannon Lane
Richmond, Kentucky

This community-based initiative will build connections across local and regional care networks to optimize the identification and treatment of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), specifically in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfection.

More information and registration

Healing Hands, Warm Hearts:
MEPCO Home Health Celebrates 45 Years of Service
1974-2019

November is Home Health Month and MEPCO Home Health Care is celebrating its 45th anniversary. MEPCO’s name derives from the original counties served: Madison, Estill and Powell. That service area for Home and Community Based Waiver (HCBW) services has expanded to twelve counties.

“MEPCO is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations, one of the very few home health agencies to achieve this high standard,” said Dr. John M. Johnstone, Chair of the Madison County Health Department Board of Health. “The staff is highly trained and provides home care with warmth and compassion,” he added.

“The Madison County Health Department is an extremely valuable asset and resource to all our citizens that may be unrecognized. One of many of the high-quality services provided is our MEPCO Home Health Agency,” said Johnstone.

“We continue to serve people who cannot get these services anywhere else. External challenges have brought change across the continuum of care for those serving in home care.” Billie Dyer, Nurse Administrator for MEPCO Home Health.

Many people may not be aware of the services, or if they or a family member qualify for services such as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Special Services (EPSDTSS) which provides needed therapy services to children under the age of 21. MEPCO can also provide incontinence supplies to patients who qualify with a physician’s order and qualifying diagnosis.

MEPCO has helped numerous people remain safe and healthy in their homes and maintain a level of independence they would not have experienced otherwise. For instance, qualifying patients can receive services that are provided through the Home and Community Based Waiver Program (HCBW). Some of those services are:

RN-Specialized Respite Care—Family members or caregivers can leave the house, confident that their loved one is safe and well cared for.
Attendant Care – Home health aides may assist patients with personal care, mobility, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance with feeding.
Case Management – A social worker or a Registered Nurse can link patients to services and equipment needs while also tracking a patient’s progress.

MEPCO Home and Community Based Waiver Program Manager Kristin Krebs explains, “HCB Waiver Program care is not limited to senior citizens. Adults and children with disabilities who may not qualify for other care may be eligible under the Waiver Program.”

Krebs often receives rewarding feedback from patients and their family members. “We’ve had family members tell us they have seen overall quality of life improve for their loved one who is receiving services,” she said. “There’s a special rapport between the staff and the patients,” said Krebs.
“And that relationship flows both ways,” she added.

Even when encountering barriers associated with a patient’s medical condition, MEPCO social workers, nurses and aides effectively communicate with their patients. Becky Shehan, who has been a Senior Home Health aide for 17 years, says, “Compassion and relationship are the bridge that connects us to our patients.”

Registered Nurse Allison Copper-Willis shared, “This is a heart-warming job as a nurse. I know I am making a difference in the lives of the people I serve though MEPCO in the Home and Community Based Waiver program.”

For more information about qualifying for MEPCO services and programs, contact MEPCO Home Health Agency at 859-626-4509, or outside of Madison County call 1-888-399-9118.

E-cigarettes and Severe Pulmonary Disease

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is investigating cases of severe pulmonary disease related to e-cigarette use or vaping. DPH is working closely with healthcare providers, local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and other states to gather information about this outbreak.

What are the symptoms?

Patients are experiencing respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. In most cases, these symptoms worsen over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. Some patients have also reported fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, chest pain, and loss of appetite.

What is the cause of the illness?

The cause or causes of this illness have not yet been determined, but all reported cases have a history of using e-cigarettes. Many identified cases have used e-cigarette products containing THC. No one device or substance, including vitamin E acetate, has been identified in all of the samples tested. DPH and CDC are collecting information on the e-cigarette devices and chemicals used in the 90 days prior to illness. The evidence does not suggest that an infectious disease is the cause of the outbreak.

Who is affected?

As of September 27, 2019, there are at least 805 confirmed and probable cases across 46 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands. There have been twelve confirmed deaths. Most of the cases have occurred in youth and young adults. This may be because young people are more likely to use e-cigarettes than older adults. Numbers of probable and confirmed cases may change as medical testing is completed; cases may be determined to not be directly related to vaping.

What should you do?

If you are concerned about these specific health risks, consider not using e-cigarettes. If you do use e-cigarettes and you experience symptoms like those reported in this outbreak, seek medical care promptly. Please take your e-cigarette products (device, cartridges, etc.) with you to the doctor.

Learn more about e-cigarettes at www.CDC.gov/e-cigarettes. For help quitting smoking or using e-cigarettes, visit www.QuitNowKentucky.com, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help

More information can be found here.

New Car Seat Inspection Sites

Car seats are one of the best ways to protect your child in an automobile, but only if they are installed and used correctly. In Madison County, we are fortunate to have several organizations that have trained car seat installers who will help you install and use your car seat. Their services are free.

Click here for a list of installers and tips on using your car seat.

Harm Reduction/Syringe Exchange Program

Hours
Richmond: Tuesdays, 3-7PM, 214 Boggs Lane
Berea: Thursdays, 1-5PM, 1001 Ace Drive (off of Rash Road)

The Madison County Health Department operates a Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) to reduce the spread of blood borne diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) by providing a scientifically proven public health service that adopts and utilizes the best practices established for harm reduction in this population. Its goals include:

Address the spread of blood borne diseases among PWID through best practices in harm reduction.
Reduce the amount of used syringes disposed of in the community.
Act as an access point for individuals to obtain referrals and information on drug treatment and rehabilitation, health service, insurance enrollment, counseling, and other social services that may be available.
Safeguard all participants and assure that PWIDs are treated with respect and without stigma.
Assure that all issues that require a referral for services are addressed in a systematic and confidential manner.

Services at the SEP include:

Clean injection equipment.
Hepatitis C, HIV, STD and pregnancy testing available at MCHD clinic locations and/or if operating in a mobile unit, rapid HIV testing with referrals for other testing as needed if space permits.
Hepatitis A vaccination is available at the SEP site. Referral for other immunizations, including the annual influenza vaccine, that are available at MCHD clinic locations.
Education regarding Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS transmission, risk reduction, sexually transmitted diseases, condoms, and safe sex information.
Proper syringe disposal, including the expectation that participants will return used needles to the SEP for proper disposal.
A strict one-for-one exchange model will be employed that provides SEP participants with the same number of sterile syringes that the participant brings in for disposal. For example, if the participant disposes of 14 used syringes at the MCHRSEP, then she/he receives 14 new, sterile syringes in return.
Referrals for those who request health services or treatment services.

CARES

If you come to the Madison County Health Department's Richmond Clinic, you might see the staff wearing a new button. We've started a new CARE (Cardiovascular Assessment, Risk reduction and Education) program.