Title
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute an agreement with Santa Cruz Health Information Organization, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, dba Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO) for electronic health information exchange services at NMC for an amount not to exceed $200,000 with a term of three years from the date signed by CEO or his designee.
b. Approve the NMC’s Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept the non-standard agreement in its entirety.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute an agreement with Santa Cruz Health Information Organization, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, dba Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO) for electronic health information exchange services at NMC for an amount not to exceed $200,000 with a term of three years from the date signed by CEO or his designee.
b. Approve the NMC’s Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept the non-standard agreement in its entirety.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Natividad Medical Center has a need to enhance its Meditech electronic health record system’s (EHR) health information exchange capabilities for three reasons: 1) To comply with the State of California’s legislative mandate (AB133) that all hospitals in the state are required to securely exchange patient information via a “Qualified Health Information Exchange (QHIO);” 2) Maintain a common health information exchange platform between Natividad Medical Center, the Monterey County Health Department and area hospitals to facilitate transitions of care; and 3) To meet the data exchange requirements of the Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH) to receive additional Medi-Cal incentive funds.
The hospital has collaborated with the Health Department on reviewing various health information exchange options and has selected the “Serving Healthy Communities Health Information Organizations (SCHIO)” exchange based on requirements, cost, and familiarity with central coast healthcare provider community. Based in Santa Cruz and established in 1996, SCHIO is one of the oldest and most advanced multi-stakeholder health information exchanges in the country.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement as to form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. The agreement has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on March 14, 2025.
FINANCING:
The cost for this agreement is $200,000 of which $50,000 is included in the FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Amounts for the remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate. Funding will be provided from the NMC’s Enterprise Fund 451-9600-8481.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement will enhance coordination of patient care between Natividad Medical Center, the Monterey County Health Department Health Department, and area hospitals. Leveraging SCHIO’s notification capabilities, Natividad will qualify for additional CCAH incentive funds while assisting with the transition of care from the inpatient to the outpatient care environment.
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Ari Entin, Hospital Chief Information Officer, 783-2564
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments:
Santa Cruz HIO dba Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO) - Participation Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board