Title
Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) to execute Amendment No. 7 to the Agreement with CyraCom International Inc. (A-11512) for Language and Interpretation Services at NMC, extending the Agreement to June 30, 2016 with no dollar increase to the total Agreement amount of $186,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) to execute Amendment No. 7 to the Agreement with CyraCom International Inc. (A-11512) for Language and Interpretation Services at NMC, extending the Agreement to June 30, 2016 with no dollar increase to the total Agreement amount of $186,000.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Approximately 52% of the patient population at NMC identify themselves as Limited English Proficient (LEP). The Joint Commission, the agency that accredits NMC, has standards which require effective communication for LEP patients through the use of competent qualified interpreters. The California and Federal laws that regulate equal access to all patients, including Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin and require that healthcare be delivered with effective communication for non-English speakers. Interpretation services help NMC reduce liability for medical errors due to a breakdown in communication and improves the quality of healthcare.
NMC utilizes a three-pronged approach to meet the language needs of patients: in-person interpreting by NMC Medical Interpreters, NMC dual-role bilingual staff, and independent contractors; video interpreting; and over-the-phone interpreting. CyraCom International Inc. provides on-demand, over-the-phone interpretation services to NMC’s healthcare providers allowing communication with patients in a safe, secure and professional environment. The service is available 24/7 in 150 languages and serves as a safety net to NMC’s healthcare providers when all other resources have been exhausted.
NMC has an Agreement with CyraCom International Inc. to provide telephone interpreter services for nearly any language needed and to utilize CyraCom’s language proficiency examination for NMC’s bilingual staff. The industry accepted rating exam allows NMC not only to have a pass/no pass designation, but also provides a detailed analysis that NMC can use to improve language skills of bilingual staff.
NMC wishes to amend the Agreement in order to continue to provide interpretation and the language proficiency testing services described above without interruption through June 30, 2016. The annual expenditures are contingent upon patient volume, the needs of individual patients, and the number of bilingual staff hired into positions which require bilingual skills, which is unpredictable by nature. We continue to see an increase in request for services month over month and staff have come to depend on this service as a safety net when in-person interpreters are not available. However, there is estimated to be approximately $50,000 remaining on the current Agreement balance which NMC can spend in Fiscal Year 2015-16, therefore no additional dollars are being added to the Agreement at this time.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved Amendment No. 7 as to legal form and risk provisions, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Amendment No. 7 as to payment provisions. Amendment No. 7 has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee on 4/23/15 and by the NMC Board of Trustees on 5/1/15.
FINANCING:
There is no cost for this Amendment No. 7. $50,000 will be included in the FY15-16 Recommended Budget for this Agreement. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Prepared by: Victor Sosa, Hospital Medical Interpretation Coordinator 783-1612
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, Interim Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
CryaCom International Inc. Amendment No. 7
CryaCom International Inc. Agreement with Amendments 1 through 6
Spend Sheet
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board