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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Health System
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DATE:
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March 17, 2009
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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June 16, 2009
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Jean S. Fraser, Chief, Health System
Susan Ehrlich, MD, MPP, Interim Chief Executive Officer,
San Mateo Medical Center
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SUBJECT:
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Amendment to the Agreement with Language Line Services, Inc.
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a Resolution:
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1.
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Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Language Line Services, Inc. to provide interpretation services to San Mateo Medical Center for the term December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010, increasing the fiscal obligation by up to $80,000, for a new maximum fiscal obligation of $140,000; and
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2.
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Authorizing the Chief of the Health System or designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County's maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goal 5: Provide residents access to healthcare and preventive care.
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The Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing interpretation services to non-English speaking and/or hearing impaired patients of San Mateo Medical Center.
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Performance Measure:
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Measure
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FY 2008-09
Estimate
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FY 2009-10
Target
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Percentage of patients surveyed who said their healthcare experience was improved by using Language Line Services
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75%
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80%
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BACKGROUND:
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Language Line Services, Inc. (Language Line) has been providing interpretation services to San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) since December 2007. The service is available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. It is used as an automatically-accessed adjunct to the Health Care Interpreter Network (HCIN) whenever no HCIN interpreter is available in the required language. This Agreement is distinct from another Agreement between the Health System and Language Line because it is directly linked to HCIN and provides SMMC with a special reduced rate negotiated by HCIN for its member hospitals. They also provide access to American Sign Language (ASL) services for hearing impaired patients for use with a video interpretation system.
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DISCUSSION:
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Due to the tremendous success of this service there has been a dramatic increase in the number of patients accessing the system. This unanticipated increase in demand for service resulted in the funding being expended. This Amendment will allow for payment of invoices already received and continuation of uninterrupted service.
The County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Amendment.
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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.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The term of the Agreement is December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010. The maximum obligation of the Agreement is $140,000. Funds to pay for these services in the amount of $14,000 are included in the SMMC FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget and $45,000 in the SMMC FY 2009-10 Recommended Budget. Funds in the amount of $21,000 will be included in the FY 2010-11 Recommended Budget. Expenses at SMMC are covered by fees for services or third-party payors whenever possible. The portion of expenses for services provided to the medically indigent or to those covered by programs that do not meet the full costs of care are covered by the County’s General Fund contribution to SMMC.
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