Title
a. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) or his designee to execute an agreement with Cynthia Harlowe for consulting services related to Joint Commission accreditation at NMC for an amount not to exceed $500,000 with an agreement term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
b. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for NMC or his designee to execute up to three (3) future 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%) ($50,000) of the original cost of the agreement.
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 an agreement with Cynthia Harlowe for consulting services related to Joint Commission accreditation at NMC for an amount not to exceed $500,000 with an agreement term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
b. Authorize the Deputy Purchasing Agent for NMC or his designee to execute up to three (3) future 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%) ($50,000) of the original cost of the agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Healthcare organizations are faced with an increase in patients with mental illness requiring hospitalization. Due to the vulnerability of such patients, psychiatric units are heavily regulated. The Joint Commission, California Department of Public Health, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services each have regulations and standards specific to psychiatric units that require compliance in order to maintain licensure, accreditation, and participation in federally funded programs.
The Consultant shall provide support and guidance to the Mental Health Unit Nursing Director related to specific requirements for psychiatric units and best practices for care of patients with mental illness. Contractor will help ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements and develop plans of correction, as needed.
The Consultant will be available to NMC for consulting on other licensing and accreditation issues as determined by the hospital Chief Executive Officer. Potential areas of consultation may include matters related to the Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. This agreement has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Special Finance Committee on June 7, 2019 and by its Board of Trustees on June 7, 2019.
FINANCING:
The cost for this agreement is $500,000, of which $250,000 shall be included in the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Recommended Budget. Amounts for remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The consulting services in this agreement ensure that NMC remains compliant with Healthcare standards as required by The Joint Commission.
__ Economic Development
X Administration
__ Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Janine Bouyea, Human Resources Administrator, 783-2701
Approved by: Gary R. Gray, DO, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
Cynthia Harlowe Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board