COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

San Mateo Medical Center

DATE:

June 4, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 19, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sang-ick Chang, Interim Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Agreement with Per Diem Staffing Systems, Inc.

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution of an Amendment to the Agreement with Per Diem Staffing Systems, Inc. to provide San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) with temporary respiratory staffing, increasing the maximum amount payable by $150,000 to $300,000, extending the term of the Agreement by one year, to March 31, 2008, and adding the Ordinance Code’s Jury Duty provisions to the Agreement.

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All.

Goal 5: Provide residents access to healthcare and preventive care.

This agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by continuing to provide respiratory care staffing at San Mateo Medical Center.

Performance Measures:

Measure

FY2006-07

FY2007-08

Percent of respiratory care registry use

15%

15%

Background

In the past, San Mateo Medical Center has had stable regular benefited staff in the Respiratory Department. In the last few years, however, SMMC has been unable to recruit new staff. This has led to increased use of traveler staff in order to maintain minimum staffing levels.

Discussion

SMMC provides respiratory care services 24 hours a day seven days a week. Currently SMMC has two full-time respiratory department employees providing 48 hours of productive coverage per day. This tight staffing makes it necessary to continue to utilize registry staff to cover any non-productive time requested by current staff or time to cover resignations or extended illness. The current budget for respiratory care allows two 12 hour extra-help positions, however efforts to recruit qualified extra-help staff have not been successful.

Recruitment for new extra-help staff is currently in progress. It is necessary to continue to utilize traveler staff until new staff are hired. In order to maintain adequate minimal staffing for the department, it is necessary to have a contract with Per Diem Staffing Systems. Per Diem is the only traveler registry willing to provide part-time temporary respiratory services. Other registries will only provide full-time temporary services.

SMMC is also considering contracting with a registry to staff the Respiratory Therapy Department. During this contract year, the Director of Critical Care Services will explore the feasibility and the cost of outsourcing the staffing requirements of the Respiratory Department. If deemed feasible and cost effective, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be published.

The contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.

County Counsel and Risk Management have both reviewed and approved this Amendment.

Fiscal Impact

The Amendment increases the maximum amount payable under the Agreement by $150,000, from $150,000 to $300,000, and extends the term of the Agreement by one year, making the new term of the Agreement April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2008. Funds are included in SMMC’s FY2006-07 Adopted Budget. Funds will be included in SMMC’s Recommended Budget for FY2007-08.