Title
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute an Agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for the purpose of NMC physician resident rotations, with an agreement term upon approval through September 30, 2028. There is no cost for this agreement.
b. Approve the NMC Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard risk provisions (Indemnification, Insurance, Disclosure, and Liability) within the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute an Agreement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for the purpose of NMC physician resident rotations, with an agreement term upon approval through September 30, 2028. There is no cost for this agreement.
b. Approve the NMC Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard risk provisions (Indemnification, Insurance, Disclosure, and Liability) within the agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This agreement is to provide NMC residents with the opportunity to do elective rotations at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, CA (or other CDCR facilities as listed in the agreement) as an introduction to Correctional Medicine. The CDCR has a well-structured medical education program in which health professions students and residents rotate in their facilities across the State.
The CDCR has well-developed orientation programs, electronic health record training, rigorous security and safety provisions, and excellent supervision standards. This elective will provide NMC Family Medicine residents training on issues unique to providing medical care in correctional facilities, including concentrated experience with Hepatitis C, HIV, substance use disorders, and mental health concerns. Residents will be supervised at all times by physicians employed by CDCR.
The NMC Family Medicine Residency attracts physicians who are committed to the care of the most vulnerable communities. Many residents have requested training in correctional medicine and to improve their skills in caring for many of the medical conditions found more commonly among inmates as described above. Offering this elective experience will enhance our ability to recruit the best residency applicants.
Our residents also care for many patients admitted to NMC from the state prison system and county jail, and this experience will improve their ability to safely and effectively care for these patients at NMC, and to provide more comprehensive integrated care through improved communication with the inmates’ primary care team.
The parties have agreed to mutual indemnity, but the State required inclusion language from its standard template language that neither the State nor any State employee will be liable to the County or its staff or trainees for injuries inflicted by inmates or parolees of the State.
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.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with this Agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
NMC Family Medicine residents currently provide inpatient care for many patients from the State prison system and county jail. Additional training in the Correctional Medicine system, mentored by experienced physicians who practice in this environment, will improve their ability to safely and effectively care for these patients at NMC.
In addition, residents will gain skills in caring for patients with conditions found more commonly among inmates, such as HIV, Hepatitis C, mental health concerns and substance use disorders, skills which will enhance their ability to provide care across all settings for patients with these conditions in our community and to advocate for high quality care for inmates across health care settings.
__ Economic Development
X Administration
X Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Dr. Melissa Nothnagle, Director of Family Medicine Residency, 783-2582
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments:
CDCR Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board