COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 6, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian Zamora, Director, Public Health and Environmental Protection Division

SUBJECT:

Agreements with local hospitals and healthcare facilities participating in the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1. Waiving the Request for Proposals requirement for hospitals and healthcare facilities in the County to participate in the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program; and

2. Authorizing the President of the Board to execute Agreements with Kaiser Hospital South San Francisco, Kaiser Hospital Redwood City, Seton Medical Center, Seton Coastside Medical Center, Sequoia Hospital, Menlo Park Surgical Hospital, Ravenswood Family Health Center, Mills-Peninsula Health Services (Peninsula Campus), and Mills-Peninsula Health Services (Mills Campus) to participate in the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program for the period of September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2011, for a maximum obligation of $298,500 in aggregate for these and all other hospitals and healthcare facilities in the County that contract to participate in the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

These Agreements contribute to this commitment and goal by providing funds to continue to plan for public health emergency preparedness and other emerging public health threats to San Mateo County.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09
Projected

Percent of key hospital groups that have attended hospital emergency preparedness training.

95%

100%

BACKGROUND:

The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) is a continuance of the formerly-titled Health Resources and Services Administration National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program series. The series provides grants to healthcare facilities to enable them to improve surge capacity and enhance community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies. The Health Department (HD) oversees the grant for the participating healthcare facilities and provides contract administration and grant management. The majority of the funding is “pass through” for the facilities’ use in order to meet designated benchmarks and target capability elements.

DISCUSSION:

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has awarded the HD funding to provide hospital emergency preparedness planning and related activities. The HD passes these funds on to participating healthcare facilities to enable program staff to continue working in key areas of an interoperable communication system, bed tracking system, emergency system for the advanced registration of volunteer health professionals, fatality management, hospital evacuation, alternate care sites, mobile medical assets, pharmaceutical caches, and National Incident Management System compliance. The grant award provides one-time supplemental funds for resources that address healthcare surge and pandemic influenza. These Agreements are delayed because the State approval did not occur until late October 2008.

A Request for Proposals waiver is requested for contracts with the hospitals and healthcare facilities in the County participating in the HPP. All hospitals and healthcare facilities in the County are notified of this opportunity, and have the option to participate. San Mateo Medical Center participates in this program through an internal memorandum of understanding.

The contractors have 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 has reviewed and approved the Agreements and Resolution as to form and content.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreements is September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2011. The maximum amount is $298,500 for the three-year term. The maximum amount for FY 2008-09 is $99,500 which is the aggregate amount for all contracted hospitals. Funds have been included in the Public Health FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement. Similar arrangement will be made for future budget years.