Title
a. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or a designee to execute a retroactive non-standard Participation and Confidentiality Agreement with RLDatix Safety Institute (“PSO”) to enable NMC to participate in the RLDatix Safety Institute, a federally certified Patient Safety Organization (PSO), to confidentially share patient safety and quality data and receive legally protected analytics and insights to improve patient care at no cost for the term of December 10, 2025 through December 9, 2026.
b. Approve the NMC’s Interim Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard provisions within the agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Interim Chief Executive Officer for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or a designee to execute a retroactive non-standard Participation and Confidentiality Agreement with RLDatix Safety Institute (“PSO”) to enable NMC to participate in the RLDatix Safety Institute, a federally certified Patient Safety Organization (PSO), to confidentially share patient safety and quality data and receive legally protected analytics and insights to improve patient care at no cost for the term of December 10, 2025 through December 9, 2026.
b. Approve the NMC’s Interim Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to accept non-standard provisions within the agreement.
SUMMARY:
RLDatix Patient Safety Organization (PSO) helps hospitals strengthen patient safety by providing a federally recognized framework for collecting, analyzing, and learning from occurrence reports. When hospitals submit safety events through the RLDatix PSO, those reports can be protected as Patient Safety Work Product under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, helping keep them confidential and privileged. This protection encourages open, honest reporting by staff, supports system-wide learning, and enables hospitals to identify risks, share insights, and implement improvements without fear that safety reports will be used for punitive or legal purposes.
DISCUSSION
RLDatix PSO services support Natividad Medical Center by providing a protected, structured way to collect and analyze occurrence reports, helping the organization identify trends, reduce risk, and improve care processes. The federal confidentiality protections encourage staff to report safety events more openly, leading to more complete data and stronger system-wide learning. Participation also supports regulatory compliance, strengthens the hospital’s patient safety culture, and enables leadership to make data-driven improvements without fear that reports will be used for punitive or legal purposes.
For patients, these services contribute to safer, higher-quality care. By protecting and analyzing occurrence reports, the hospital can better identify hazards, prevent repeat events, and implement improvements that reduce the risk of harm. This proactive approach helps ensure more consistent, reliable care and reinforces the hospital’s commitment to patient safety, transparency, and continuous improvement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement as to form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. The agreement has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on January 9, 2026.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with this Agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS SECTION:
Participation in the RLDatix Patient Safety Organization supports the BOS strategic plan by strengthening a culture of safety and continuous learning through protected, transparent reporting of safety events. This enables the organization to identify risks early, implement effective improvements, and consistently deliver the highest quality and safest care for patients.
__ Well-Being and Quality of Life
__ Sustainable Infrastructure for Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
__Diverse and Thriving Economy
__ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
__ Administrative
Prepared by: Tammy Perez, Director of Quality 831-783-2512
Approved by: Nancy Buscher, Interim Chief Executive Officer, 783-2560
Attachment(s):
Board Report
RLDatix Safety Institute (“PSO”) Participation and Confidentiality Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board