Title
Approve and direct the Purchasing Manager for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement (MYA-1101) with Health Care Transformations LLC ("HCT") for Infection Control Nursing Services at NMC, keeping the Agreement end term date at June 30, 2015 and adding $88,400 to cover these services, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $188,400 in the aggregate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors approve and direct the Purchasing Manager for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement (MYA-1101) with Health Care Transformations LLC ("HCT") for Infection Control Nursing Services at NMC, keeping the Agreement end term date at June 30, 2015 and adding $88,400 to cover these services, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $188,400 in the aggregate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Natividad Medical Center (NMC) entered into an agreement with Health Care Transformations LLC ("HCT"), a national firm experienced in providing healthcare consulting services and interim professional placements, earlier this year for specialized consulting services to evaluate NMC's current Core Measure performance and processes and to implement best practices to improve performance. It is necessary to amend and renew this agreement to include the provision of an interim Infection Control Nurse.
Infection Control Nursing Services may include some, or all, of the following duties: Identify, prevent and control outbreaks of infection in health care settings and the community. Collect, analyze and interpret infection-control data. Notify authorities about reportable diseases as required. Plan, implement, manage and evaluate infection prevention and control activities. Conduct infection control risk assessments for construction and renovation projects; equipment inspection, and pest control. Educate individuals and groups about the risk, prevention, transmission, and control of infection, disease-specific care, appropriate precautions, and appropriate assessments. Establish accepted standards and develop, implement, monitor and revise infection control policies and procedures to assure compliance with the standards. Investigate, manage and conduct surveillance of suspected and confirmed outbreaks of infection. Provide consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention, and control strategies. As a direct result of this work, NMC will be made safer; patients, staff and the community will be more protected and receive expert care.
Operation of an acute care hospital requires that an individual be designated as the infection control officer to develop and implement policies governing control of infections and communicable diseases. This position is mandated by the Federal Conditions of Participation, State of California Title 22 Regulations and the Joint Commission standards. Responsibilities for the position include the implementation of measures to identify, investigate, report, and to prevent and control of infections and communicable diseases. This position cannot be left unfilled.
The position of Natividad Medical Center (NMC) Infection Control Nurse became vacant as of March 25, 2013 due to the resignation of the incumbent, without much notice. The critical nature and Federal requirements relating to the responsibilities of this position require that there be no interruption in the provision of services. Health Care Transformations LLC ("HCT") is a national firm experienced in providing interim professional placements in healthcare positions such as Infection Control Nurse. HCT identified an Infection Control Nurse interim candidate that met the needs of NMC. The Infection Control Nurse started work at NMC on March 26, 2014 in order to provide the necessary continuation of services. They will continue until the vacant position is filled because it is an essential position for the hospital and cannot be unfilled for any length of time. However, at this time NMC plans to permanently fill the position within a minimum of 13 weeks. NMC is currently utilizing an HCT consultant for another assignment and is pleased with the provision of services. NMC worked with the Office of County Counsel and Office of the Auditor-Controller to approve the contract before any work began.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 1 as to legal form and risk provisions. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 1 as to fiscal provisions. The CAO-Budget and Analysis Division has advised to inform the BOS the spending authority (appropriations) associated with NMC's FY 2014 Adopted Budget has been exceeded and approval and authorization for modification of NMC's appropriation budget should be presented to the BOS. Since NMC is an Enterprise Fund, this does not prevent continued expenditures and is not a legal requirement, but it is considered good public policy, transparency and fiscal management. The Amendment No. 1 has not been reviewed and approved by Natividad Medical Center's Board of Trustees, or NMC's Finance Committee due to committee scheduling issues and due to the need to fill the position immediately. The Board of Trustees and NMC's Finance Committee will be informed at their next meetings.
FINANCING:
The cost for Amendment No. 1 is $88,400 and is included in the Fiscal Year 2013/2014 Adopted Budget. Amounts for remaining years of the Agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate. NMC is confirming its appropriations position and if its spending authority has been exceeded will return to the Board. There is no impact to the General Fund. As of April 15, 2014, no invoices have been paid against this agreement and $93,600 remains on the original purchase order. Invoices for the original agreement are expected to be submitted around May 1, 2014.
Prepared by: Jane Finney, Quality Control, 783-2502
Approved by: Harry Weis, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments: Amendment No.1, Original Agreement and Spend Sheet.
Attachments on file with the Clerk to the Boards Office