Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard Agreement with Cordata Healthcare Innovations, to provide software service of The MedReportGuard Suite to improve quality of medical reporting, forensic examinations, compliance with mandated reporting to law enforcement, and referrals to advocacy services within the community, effective August 25, 2024 through August 24, 2027 for a total Agreement amount of $14,250; and
b. Approve a non-standard Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments where the combined amendments do not exceed 10% ($1,425) of the original amount and does not significantly change the scope, total not to exceed a maximum of $15,675.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a non-standard Agreement with Cordata Healthcare Innovations, to provide software service of The MedReportGuard Suite to improve quality of medical reporting, forensic examinations, compliance with mandated reporting to law enforcement, and referrals to advocacy services within the community, effective August 25, 2024 through August 24, 2027 for a total Agreement amount of $14,250; and
b. Approve a non-standard Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments where the combined amendments do not exceed 10% ($1,425) of the original amount and does not significantly change the scope, total not to exceed a maximum of $15,675.
SUMMARY DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department (MCHD) currently operates the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) program. The SART program consists of highly trained health professionals who perform forensic medical exams for individuals, both adults and adolescents, who are suspected to have been the victims of sexual assault. These examiners are called upon to recover evidence based on these examinations and provide testimony during court proceedings. SART examiners document forensic exams on state mandated forms provided by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) as stated in California Penal Code 13823.5 section c. Currently, these forms are completed by hand on paper. It is the goal of the SART program to convert to electronic charting. By doing so, the SART program hopes to decrease charting errors and omissions, decrease the physical space required to store charts, and allow for better sharing of information between examiners, the program coordinator, and partnering agencies. In addition, electronic charting could facilitate the submission of mandated reporting forms and allow for data analysis for quality improvement purposes.
Electronic charting software for forensic exams is provided by Cordata. Their program, The MedReportGuard (MRG) Suite, is HIPPA compliant and facilitates the completion of forensic examination documentation. By contracting with Cordata, the SART program hopes to improve the quality of medical and forensic documentation and, in doing so, improve outcomes for the community members it serves.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goals: 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services; and 4. Engage Health Department workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports four of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 4. Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health; 5. Create, champion, and implement policies, plans, and laws that impact health; 6. Utilize legal and regulatory actions designed to improve and protect the public’s health; and 7. Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individuals services and care needed to be healthy.
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:
This Agreement is funded 38% by SART fee revenue and 62% by General Fund. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (001-4000-8124-HEA003) FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, and appropriations will be included in future fiscal years’ Requested Budgets.
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
Agreement
BAA