COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

 

DATE:

January 21, 2003

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 4, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Nancy J. Steiger, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center

Margaret Taylor, Director, Health Services

 

SUBJECT:

Agreement with California Emergency Physicians

 

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with California Emergency Physicians for the provision of Medical Director and physician services for Correctional Health Services and medical services at the Emergency Department.

 

Background

California Emergency Physicians (CEP) provides the physician and physician assistant staff for the Emergency Department at the San Mateo Health Center and medical direction and on-call and relief physician services for the Maguire Facility. Until December 31, 2001, CEP provided the Emergency Department services as a subcontractor to the Medical Associates of San Mateo County (MASMC), and the correctional medical services as a direct contractor with the Department of Hospital and Clinics. CEP assumed responsibility for physician services at the Maguire Facility after a long civil service recruitment period, which

produced no viable candidates. On October 11, 2000, you approved an agreement with CEP, which included the provision of all physician services including relief coverage, at the jail. On January 1, 2002, emergency physician services and Correctional Health medical services were incorporated into an overall one year agreement.

 

Discussion

This new agreement also incorporates administrative and clinical activities for Correctional Health and San Mateo Medical Center.

CEP agrees to provide a Board Certified onsite Medical Director for Correctional Health Services. The Medical Director will have prior approval of Health Services Management and proper clearances by the Sheriff's Office. This person will be responsible for clinical services at the Jail as well as supervising Nurse Practitioner staff, developing health education programs, assist in the implementation of the Quality Management Program and arranging for peer review quarterly.

At the Medical Center, CEP will provide Board Certified Emergency Physicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CEP will also provide physician extenders to the extent necessary to supplement the work load of the Physicians. These physicians shall also provide medical supervision for PES residents and restraint authority for PES patients in the absence of on-site Psychiatry attending staff. CEP will also provide administrative services such as teaching, research, quality control activities, committee work, etc., as mutually agreed by CEP and the Chief Executive Officer of San Mateo Medical Center.

 

Vision Alignment

This agreement keeps the commitment to Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All and goal number 5: Provide residents access to healthcare and preventive care. The agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing Medical Director and physician services for Correctional Health Services and medical services at the Emergency Department.

 

Fiscal Impact

The term of this agreement is January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004. California Emergency Physicians shall be paid $15,186 per month for Correctional Health Services and $168,377 per month for Emergency Services at SMMC. The maximum amount of the agreement is $4,405,512, or $2,202,756 per year. The previous agreement maximum was $1,978,256 per year. This agreement represents an 11% increase over the previous contract. Funds are included in the Approved Budgets for the Department of Hospital and Clinics and Health Services for FY2002-03 and will be requested in subsequent fiscal years.