Title
Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment no. 3 to the agreement with CortiCare, Inc. to provide remote EEG (electroencephalogram) monitoring and reading services of NMC patients as requested by NMC, adding $264,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $464,000, and extending the agreement an additional three (3) year period (April 20, 2018 through April 19, 2021) for a revised full agreement term of April 20, 2015 through April 19, 2021.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute amendment no. 3 to the agreement with CortiCare, Inc. to provide remote EEG (electroencephalogram) monitoring and reading services of NMC patients as requested by NMC, adding $264,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $464,000, and extending the agreement an additional three (3) year period (April 20, 2018 through April 19, 2021) for a revised full agreement term of April 20, 2015 through April 19, 2021.
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 $264,000 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. 3 as to legal form and risk provisions, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. This amendment no. 3 has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee on April 2, 2018 and by its Board of Trustees on April 6, 2018.
FINANCING:
The cost for this amendment no. 3 is $264,000, of which $88,000 shall be included in the Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19. Amounts for remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate. 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.
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Rod Ramirez, Director of Cardiopulmonary, 772-7654
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, DO, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
CortiCare Inc Amendment 3
CortiCare Inc Amendment 2
CortiCare Inc Renewal and Amendment 1
CortiCare Inc Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board