On Dec. 15, the Clallam County Board of Health passed a resolution making fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose a reportable condition in Clallam County. A public hearing was held prior to the board finalizing the resolution.

Former Interim Health Officer Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green started the process as a way of gathering additional data to address the opioid epidemic in Clallam County. WAC246-101-505(3) gives each local health officer the authority to require the notification of additional conditions of public health importance occurring within the jurisdiction of the local health officer.

According to Dr. Christopher Frank, Clallam County Health Officer, “This is an important step in the development of an evidence-based opioid management plan for Clallam County.”

Mandatory reporting will be limited to the Olympic Medical Center Emergency Department, Forks Community Hospital Emergency Department and the county coroner. All have been supportive of this effort.

When a case is reported to Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Section, the following actions will be taken:

1) The person who overdosed will be contacted by a public health nurse and offered a naloxone kit and training on use of the device.

2) An attempt will be made to offer case-management services and to review treatment options.

3) The prescribing health care provider will be contacted when an overdose is due to a prescription medicine.

4) The information will be used to assess the burden of the problem in the community, to evaluate the impact of the naloxone distribution program and to establish baseline data to evaluate future intervention programs.

The mandated reporting will begin Jan. 1.