COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

 

DATE:

May 23, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 10, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Nancy J. Steiger, Chief Executive Officer

 

SUBJECT:

Appropriation Transfer Request

 

Recommendation

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) transferring $52,238 from Automation Services-ISD to Fixed Assets-Equipment ($49,600) and Computer Supplies ($2,638) for the Telemedicine System at San Mateo Medical Center.

 

Background

The Peninsula Community Foundation awarded a $52,238 grant on April 13, 2000 to be utilized for the purchase of a Telemedicine System at San Mateo Center. The grant money was not rolled over to the current fiscal year and will now have to be paid for through an Appropriation Transfer Request. A separate department has been established in the Medical Center to monitor expenses and revenues associated with this system.

 

Discussion

Telemedicine will offer San Mateo Medical Center a modality for remote patient management to patients living in underserved areas of the County (coastal areas) and State, or to incarcerated patients that lack physical access to the Medical Center. This technology provides the ability to interact with the patients and physicians using face video and multimedia e-mail. For example, it can be used to diagnose dermatological diseases or perform retinal screening exams for diabetic patients. As an early adopter of this technology, the Medical Center will be in a position to partner with major payors when reimbursement for this service becomes more common. It is expected to be used widely in nursing homes, occupational medicine, and assisted living programs.

Until the service has shown to be financially viable, physician leadership over this service will be provided through the Medical Center's contract with Emergency Physician Services at no additional cost.

Second Opinion, a sole source vendor, has offered a package that includes both hardware and software that fits within the allocated grant funding and will provide services to the Coast Clinic and the Keller Center. Second Opinion is the prime vendor chosen for the Blue Cross Telemedicine Project which will allow us to establish the Medical Center as a site within their telemedicine network.

 

Vision Alignment

The funding from this grant keeps the commitment of Ensuring Basic Health and Safety for all which includes goal number 5: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care. It will contribute especially to the provision of care that is lacking for residents living in rural and underserved locations.

 

Fiscal Impact

The funding for this service will be made from an Appropriation Transfer Request utilizing already approved budgeted dollars within an existing department. It is expected that reimbursement for this service will grow as more payors begin to offer it through their existing networks.