Title
a. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to the agreement with CortiCare, Inc. to provide remote EEG (electroencephalogram) monitoring and reading services of NMC patients as requested by NMC, adding $100,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $200,000 and with no change to the agreement term of April 20, 2015 through April 19, 2018.
b. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for NMC or his designee to execute up to three (3) future no extension amendments to the agreement which do not significantly alter the scope of work and do not cause an increase of more than ten percent (10%) ($10,000) of the original cost of the agreement per each amendment.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment No. 2 to the agreement with CortiCare, Inc. to provide remote EEG (electroencephalogram) monitoring and reading services of NMC patients as requested by NMC, adding $100,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $200,000 and with no change to the agreement term of April 20, 2015 through April 19, 2018.
b. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for NMC or his designee to execute up to three (3) future no extension amendments to the agreement which do not significantly alter the scope of work and do not cause an increase of more than ten percent (10%) ($10,000) of the original cost of the agreement per each amendment.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
CortiCare, Inc. is a telemetry diagnostic company that provides remote neurotelemetry monitoring services through an EEG (electroencephalogram). The EEG system is owned by NMC and has HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant interface software that works with any EEG system allowing clinicians access to view live video of patients and EEG waveforms while using a secured interface ID and password. Upon request by NMC, CortiCare will provide registered EEG technologists to monitor the cerebral status through EEG electrodes that are attached to a patient’s scalp to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain and also provide certified reading Neurophysiologists, or equivalent, to interpret the EEG recordings. The goal of continuous EEG monitoring is to recognize a decline in a patient’s condition before physical signs and symptoms are present allowing doctors to quickly assess whether there are abnormal patterns which may be a sign of seizures or other brain disorders.
NMC had anticipated using CortiCare’s services for trauma patients soon after the agreement became effective; however, since the Trauma Center had just opened, the need for CortiCare’s services was very low, resulting in NMC using the services a year after the agreement was effective. NMC does not have a continuous Neurologist in house for EEG readings for performed tests in an in-patient or out-patient status. CortiCare has been extremely helpful in providing this service of reading regular EEGs performed that require immediate attention. EEGs are performed on all patients including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the Medical Surgical Unit (MSU).
The volume of patients admitted into the Trauma Center has increased and, as a result, the need for continuous monitoring and reading of EEGs has steadily increased as well. NMC is anticipating that the volume for EEG services will continue to rise; therefore, NMC is requesting $100,000 for this amendment, which will allow NMC to continue receiving these beneficial services provided by CortiCare through the end of the term and to continue providing quality of care at NMC.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this amendment No. 2 as to legal form and risk provisions, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. This amendment No. 2 has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee on May 25, 2017 and by its Board of Trustees on June 2, 2017.
FINANCING:
The cost for this amendment No. 2 is $100,000, all of which is included in the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Adopted Budget. There is no impact to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The services rendered in this agreement supports the Board of Supervisor’s strategic initiative to “improve the health and quality of life through County supported programs and services” by providing the technology necessary for these type of procedures to be performed locally, keeping families at home.
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__ Administration
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__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Rod Ramirez, Cardiopulmonary Director, 772-7654
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, DO, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
CortiCare Inc Amendment 2
CortiCare Inc Renewal and Amendment 1
CortiCare Inc Agreement
CortiCare Inc Spend Sheet
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board