COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

DATE:

November 13, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 2, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Seton Medical Center

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to waive the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and execute an agreement with Seton Medical Center.

Background

San Mateo County is responsible for providing medical care to its medically indigent adult population. San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a general acute care hospital and does not provide certain highly specialized services. A contract with Seton Medical Center ensures that specialty services are readily available.

Discussion

Services provided under this agreement are required medical services that are not presently provided at San Mateo Medical Center. The majority of referrals to Seton are for inpatient cardiac and outpatient services. Examples of other services include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), radiation therapy, laboratory services, noninvasive procedures, cardiac specialty services, sleep lab and medical/surgical acute care.

All patients referred to Seton Medical Center for inpatient services undergo utilization review to minimize hospital stays and maintain control over costs.

The term of the agreement is one year from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. Delay in processing this agreement is due to the negotiations by San Mateo Medical Center for better rates. San Mateo Medical Center is also requesting a waiver of the RFP process.

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 specialty services as well as maintaining adequate coverage to county patients.

County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and approved this agreement

Fiscal Impact

The term of the new agreement is one year, July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. The maximum amount of the new agreement is $600,000. Funds were included in San Mateo Medical Center's FY 2003-2004 Approved Budget.