Title
a. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Natividad or his designee to execute the Professional and Call Coverage Services Agreement with Caroline Butler MD to provide general and critical care surgical services at Natividad for an amount not to exceed $400,000 for the period January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022; and
b. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer or his designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not significantly change the scope of work and do not cause an increase of more than ten percent 10% ($40,000) of the original contract amount.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Natividad or his designee to execute the Professional and Call Coverage Services Agreement with Caroline Butler MD to provide general and critical care surgical services at Natividad for an amount not to exceed $400,000 for the period January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022; and
b. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer or his designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not significantly change the scope of work and do not cause an increase of more than ten percent 10% ($40,000) of the original contract amount.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Natividad received its designation as the Level II Trauma Center for Monterey County in January 2015. The American College of Surgeons requires critical care surgeons to be available in-house with a 15 minute response time for Level II Trauma Centers. In order to provide 24/7 care, it is necessary to maintain a core team of quality surgeons made up of employed and independent contract physicians to provide daily call coverage in the emergency department and follow-up care to patients in the intensive care unit and outpatient clinic.
Natividad would like to enter into an agreement with Dr. Butler, a board certified fellowship trained trauma surgeon to provide general and critical care surgical services as part of the comprehensive trauma services required for a Level II Trauma Center. Dr. Butler will participate in the on-call panel and will be paid a daily rate for the coverage services, which may increase due to availability and the need for coverage, but the rate of pay for services remains the same. In addition to her on-call panel participation, Dr. Butler will also provide outpatient clinic services. NMC has obtained an independent opinion of fair market value supporting the payment terms of this Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to fiscal provisions. The Agreement has also been reviewed and approved by Natividad’s Finance Committee and Board of Trustees.
FINANCING:
The total cost of this Agreement is $400,000. The actual cost is contingent upon Dr. Butler’s participation in the call panel which may fluctuate based on her availability. Natividad has agreements with multiple providers to ensure sufficient coverage of the trauma services where the total expenditure will not exceed $1,300,000 annually which is included in Fiscal Year 2021/2022 recommended budget. The remaining balance will be budgeted in subsequent fiscal years. There is no impact to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The services rendered in this agreement provide Natividad with the additional support it needs in order to provide reliable and high quality patient care which improves the health and quality of life for patients and their families.
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Prepared by: Jeanne-Ann Balza, Director of Physician Services, 783.2506
Approved by: Dr. Charles R. Harris, Interim Chief Executive Officer, 783.2553
Attachments:
Agreement
Attachments on file at the Clerk of the Board