Title
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute a End-User License Agreement (EULA) with CommonWell Health Alliance for Meditech services at no cost with an agreement term April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
b. Approve the NMC’s Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard insurance, limitations on liability, and limitations on damages provisions within the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute a EULA with CommonWell Health Alliance for Meditech services at no cost with an agreement term April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
b. Approve the NMC’s Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard insurance, limitations on liability, and limitations on damages provisions within the agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The CommonWell Health Alliance is a non-profit trade association of health information technology companies. It was founded in 2013 with the aim of promoting interoperability and data exchange within the healthcare industry. The alliance has created a nationwide network where healthcare providers and systems can securely access and share patient data regardless of the electronic health record system (EHR) systems they use. This service complies with Federal and State privacy laws.
CommonWell facilitates better coordination of care. This can lead to improved patient outcomes, a reduction in medical errors, and enhanced patient satisfaction. CommonWell streamlines workflows for healthcare providers by allowing them to access relevant patient data with fewer obstacles. This reduces the time spent searching for information and increases the efficiency of healthcare delivery. With improved interoperability, healthcare providers have access to more comprehensive and up-to-date patient information. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses, treatment decisions, and care plans.
Natividad Medical Center plans to leverage the CommonWell network to access the health information of patients under its care across the care continuum. There is no cost to subscribe and use the CommonWell service as it’s included in the hospital’s existing Meditech annual support and maintenance agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this EULA as to form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. The EULA has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on March 8, 2024.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with this agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
CommonWell’s data exchange service will improve the health and wellbeing of Natividad Medical Center’s patients through better clinical communication and coordination of care. Access to this system will also administratively improve operational efficiencies and reduce duplication of services.
__ Economic Development
X_ Administration
X Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Ari Entin, Hospital Chief Information Officer, 783-2564
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments:
CommonWell Health Alliance EULA
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board