Title
a. Approve the Director of Health Services or their designee to accept a grant from the California Department of Public Health's Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Strengthening Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (SHARP) to expand surveillance testing of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in California for a total amount of $70,053; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or their designee to execute Grant Agreement Award Number ELCPHLSHARP-13 from the California Department of Public Health’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Strengthening Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (SHARP) for a total grant amount of $70,053 for the grant period from June 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve the Director of Health Services or their designee to accept a grant from the California Department of Public Health's Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Strengthening Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (SHARP) to expand surveillance testing of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in California for a total amount of $70,053; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or their designee to execute Grant Agreement Award Number ELCPHLSHARP-13 from the California Department of Public Health’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Strengthening Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (SHARP) for a total grant amount of $70,053 for the grant period from June 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024.
SUMMARY DISCUSSION:
The Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is responsible for providing testing services to identify microorganisms that cause disease including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The PHL is a Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and COVID Network of California (COVIDNet) laboratory. The PHL provides testing with associated whole genome sequencing for communicable disease surveillance purposes, surge events and other public health emergencies. The PHL also serves as a reference laboratory for local hospitals and health care agencies, particularly with respect to identifying Mycobacterium, Coccidioides, and Legionella species.
Multidrug resistant organisms are a growing health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections and 35,000 deaths occur in the U.S. each year. In California, 360,000 illnesses and nearly 4,500 deaths are attributed to antimicrobial resistance. The incidence of drug resistant Candida auris, a yeast that can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems, has been rising worldwide and recently in California. Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) are bacteria that are resistant to carbapenems which are considered a “last resort” class of antibiotics and are increasingly more common throughout California healthcare settings. These drug-resistant organisms present an urgent and growing threat to public health.
CDC is expanding nationwide laboratory capacity to rapidly detect antimicrobial resistance. ELC-SHARP funding will support the Department’s PHL to implement new, specialized testing for C. auris and CPOs to detect antimicrobial resistance locally and to inform infection control measures in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Funds will be used for training to increase the knowledge and skills of existing staff to conduct antimicrobial sensitivity panels, purchase supplies and materials to support testing, and cover personnel costs while conducting and interpreting tests.
While the term of this agreement is from June 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024, the Department only recently became eligible to apply for ELC-SHARP grant funding. California Department of Public Health had excess SHARP funding from unspent allocations to other PHLs in 2023 and expanded the funding opportunity to additional PHLs in April 2024, including the County of Monterey. Due to the availability of additional state funding, the Department is seeking approval to execute the agreement retroactively to June 1, 2022.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 2. Enhance public health and safety through prevention; 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services; and 4. Engage MCHD workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports three of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets; 2. Investigate diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; and 8. Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
There is no cost to the County in accepting this grant. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (001-4000-8124-HEA003) FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by:
______________________________Date:_________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Award Letter
Intent to Apply Memo