Title
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Medical Education Speakers Network for professional and medical speakers and course development services, with no change to the agreement term of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, and adding $100,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $200,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Medical Education Speakers Network for professional and medical speakers and course development services, with no change to the agreement term of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, and adding $100,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $200,000.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Continuing Medical Education (CME) program provides support for continuous improvement and learning to help physicians address gaps in their professional practice and as such is required of physicians for renewal of license, maintenance of specialty board certification, credentialing, membership in professional societies, and other professional privileges. At NMC, the purpose of our CME program is to provide Accredited Continuing Medical Education Activities to our medical staff to increase learners’ knowledge, competence and performance so they are able to provide the best medical care possible to our community. Medical Education Speakers Network (MESN) assists Natividad with keeping its CME Program active and diverse by locating expert faculty for our activities from around the county. NMC’s CME Program is open to all NMC providers and clinical staff, as well as community providers.
As a Level II Trauma Center for Monterey County, our CME Program is critical to our verification by the American College of Surgeons. Natividad’s CME Program is accredited by the California Medical Association and was awarded Re-accredited with Commendation in 2018 through 2024.
Natividad’s CME Program has been accredited since February 2000. During this COVID-19 era, and in support of more focused education to keep our providers with up-to-the-minute information on this emerging disease and its treatments, and to accommodate the restrictions of this pandemic, Natividad moved its CME Program from in-person activities to a new platform: Internet-based Podcast and Videocast (enduring) activities - accessible on campus and off. This transition allows our providers to access vital new medical information specific to Natividad’s needs, from renowned faculty anytime/anywhere.
Even under these unprecedented times, during this past year, Natividad’s CME Program has created more than 110 enduring (podcasts/videocasts episodes) activities, providing accredited continuing medical education for Natividad’ medical staff - to date, these episodes have been accessed by our learners more than 2,270 times.
Natividad has been pleased with MESN’s services since the agreement was initiated in 2016 and as a result more services have been requested annually since the start of the agreement. Natividad would like to continue to utilize the faculty provided by MESN more heavily during this COVID-19 era at a projected cost of $3,000-$6,000 per month as we continue to offer from 8-12 CME activities per month. Therefore this request is to increase the total agreement amount.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this amendment No. 1 as to form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. The amendment No. 1 has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on April 9, 2021.
FINANCING:
The cost for this amendment No. 1 is $100,000 of which $50,000 is included in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Adopted Budget. Amounts for remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The services rendered from this agreement help ensure that Natividad offers an accredited CME program to its clinical staff. Continuing education of medical professionals is ultimately translated into effective patient care.
__ Economic Development
X Administration
X Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Dr. Craig Walls, Chief Medical Officer, 783-2521
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, DO, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments:
Medical Education Speakers Network Amendment 1
Medical Education Speakers Network Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board