Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Data Use and Disclosure Agreement between the County of Monterey and the County of Santa Cruz and the County of San Benito to establish data sharing requirements to comply with privacy and protection of patient health information shared among the three Counties related to the Tri-County Buprenorphine Program from a term of five years from the last signature on the signature block of the Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Data Use and Disclosure Agreement between the County of Monterey and the County of Santa Cruz and the County of San Benito to establish data sharing requirements to comply with privacy and protection of patient health information shared among the three Counties related to the Tri-County Buprenorphine Program from a term of five years from the last signature on the signature block of the Agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code, Section 1797 et seq., the County of Monterey EMS Agency is responsible for EMS system coordination, medical oversight, and coordination of the delivery of EMS by provider organizations in Monterey County.
In 2022, the County of Monterey EMS Agency entered into a three-county collaborative with the County of Santa Cruz and the County of San Benito to support the ongoing efforts to address Substance Use Disorder (SUD) as a treatable emergency condition. Through the Buprenorphine program, paramedics responding to medical emergency calls are able to identify and treat patients who may benefit from medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
The Monterey County Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) and its Medical Advisory Subcommittee (MAC) endorsed this program in late 2022. Similarly, on December 14, 2022, the California State EMS Authority approved the tri-county Buprenorphine program as a Local Scope of Practice through December 31, 2025.
The Counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito wish to enter into a Data Use and Disclosure Agreement to set forth the information privacy and security requirements that the Counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito, the data recipients, will be required to follow with respect to all Tri-County Buprenorphine Case Reporting System data, and other personal and confidential information disclosed by the data recipients, such data and other personal and confidential information are also referred to as “protected data.”
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goal 2 (Enhance public health and safety through prevention) and Goal 4 (Engage Health Department workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs). It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically, (Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable).
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
There are no General Fund Impacts resulting from this Board action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses, and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Teresa Rios, EMS Director, 783-7082
Approved by:
___________________________Date___________________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Data Use and Disclosure Agreement