COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

DATE:

August 24, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 13, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

SUBJECT:

Acceptance of a Grant Award from the California HealthCare Foundation in Support of the “Improving Asthma Care Through Patient Empowerment” Program in San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Clinics

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A)

Accepting a grant from the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) in the amount of $200,000 to develop and implement the “Improving Asthma Care Through Patient Empowerment” Program in SMMC Clinics

B)

Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) to develop and implement said program for the term December 17, 2004 to September 1, 2006

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goals 5 and 6: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care and Children grow up healthy in safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods.

This grant contributes to this commitment and these goals through SMMC’s participation in the Consumer Partnerships in Chronic Disease Care Initiative fostered by the California HealthCare Foundation.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

% of Adolescents and school age patients with asthma at SMMC clinics who will have Asthma Action Plans they can use at home/school

50%

90%

% of Participants who will be able to use the web-based or telephonic applications to monitor their disease progress

25%

50%

% of Medical providers who will be able to use the web-based application to monitor patients

75%

90%

This program, which combines education and consumer empowerment, will enable pre-teen and teenage patients diagnosed with asthma, with the support of their families, to participate with their medical providers in managing both the preventive and treatment progress of their own chronic disease.

BACKGROUND:

Asthma continues to be a widespread chronic disease in our community, primarily striking children and adolescents. Since much of the experience and control of this condition occurs between clinic visits, SMMC patient with asthma need the tools to partner with their medical provider in maintaining their health at home, at school and in the community.

DISCUSSION:

The California HealthCare Foundation announced a Request for Proposals in September 2004 inviting applicants to address patient self-management through the Consumer Partnerships in Chronic Disease Care initiative. SMMC applied for this funding because the themes of this initiative were directly related to the efforts of SMMC to encourage patient self-care among young people with asthma. SMMC, in conjunction with the Health Plan of San Mateo, was one of 137 agencies to apply for this funding statewide, among which six programs received funding.

In this program, through a combination of patient education, registry and tracking of patient progress, action planning and patient self-efficacy development, young asthma patients of San Mateo Medical Center clinics will be empowered to collaborate with their medical provider and care team in managing their disease. This learning and action project will also involve other family members and school personnel in the patient’s asthma action planning.

Among the anticipated outcomes of this project are:

1. Adolescents and school age children with asthma who are patients at SMMC clinics will have Asthma Action Plans they can use at home and school.

2. Patients diagnosed with the most persistent and severe condition will be able to use, on their own or with assistance, a telephonic or web-based application to track their progress.

3. SMMC medical providers caring for children or adolescents at the pilot clinics will use the computer-based application to track asthma patient progress.

4. Family members and school staff will receive training and empowerment to support the patients in participating in the program.

5. A .5 FTE nurse case manager and a .5 FTE community worker will be

assigned to support this project at the three pilot clinic sites: Willow Clinic,

Fair Oaks Children’s Clinic and Sequoia Teen Wellness Center.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total cost to SMMC for the “Improving Asthma Care Through Patient Empowerment” Program will be $200,000, in addition to routine in-kind costs, and will be expended during the period January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. The entire project will be funded by the grant from the California HealthCare Foundation. San Mateo Medical Center will receive $200,000. Funds will be included in the September budget revision. All staffing for this grant will be accomplishing using existing personnel or extra-help staff. There is no net county cost associated with this project.