Title
Approve and direct the Purchasing Manager for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) to execute Amendment No. 2 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 for a revised total Agreement amount not to exceed $276,800 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. 2 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 for a revised total Agreement amount not to exceed $276,800 in the aggregate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
NMC entered into an agreement with 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 was necessary to amend and renew the agreement to include the provision of an interim Infection Control Nurse for thirteen weeks. Since NMC's vacant position was not filled within thirteen weeks, it is necessary to increase the amount of the agreement for an additional $88,400.
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.
The position of NMC Infection Control Nurse became vacant as of March 25, 2013 due to the resignation of the incumbent. The critical nature of the responsibilities of this position requires that there be no interruption in the provision of services. 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 is meeting the needs of NMC at this time. NMC has been utilizing this interim solution since March 26, 2014 and plans to continue utilizing this solution until the permanent position is filled, for up to an additional 13 weeks.
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.
The Core Measure consulting engagement started in February and was finished by May 1, 2014. The Infection Control consultant started work at NMC on March 26, 2014 and continues to work until the vacant position is filled and adequate overlap is provided because it is an essential position for the hospital and cannot be unfilled for any length of time. Interviews have been conducted and the position has been offered and accepted by a candidate, with an anticipated start date of July 21, 2014. The required thirty day notice was provided to the contractor and the last day of work for the interim Infection Control Consultant will be August 8, 2014.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 2 as to legal form and risk provisions. The Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 2 as to fiscal provisions. This Amendment No. 2 has also been reviewed and approved by Natividad Medical Center's Finance Committee on August 28, 2014 and by its Board of Trustees on September 12, 2014.
FINANCING:
The cost for this Amendment No. 2 is $88,400 and is included in the Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Prepared by: Jane Finney, Quality Control; 783-2502
Approved by: Kelly O'Keefe, M.D., PhD, FCAP, Interim CEO, 783-2553
Attachments: Amendment No. 2, Amendment No. 1, Original Agreement, Spend Sheet
Attachments on file with the Clerk to the Boards Office