COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

December 13, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 11, 2011

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

San Mateo Medical Center Emergency Department Remodel (Project No. P11HM)

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1.

Adopting plans and specifications, including conformance with prevailing wage scale requirements for the Emergency Department Remodel at the San Mateo Medical Center (Project No. P11HM); and

2.

Authorizing the publication of a Notice to Contractors twice in a weekly local newspaper of general circulation published in the County; and

3.

Authorizing the Director of Public Works to call for sealed proposals to be received on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 2:30 p.m., in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.

BACKGROUND:

The San Mateo Medical Center (Medical Center) desires to remodel the registration, admitting, and triage areas of the Emergency Department in order to comply with patient privacy requirements imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

DISCUSSION:

The Medical Center Emergency Department provides emergency services to approximately 50,000 patients each year. The Emergency Department patient registration area is currently located in a heavily traveled corridor which impacts compliance with HIPAA patient privacy requirements. Additionally, the current patient admitting procedures require patients to travel back and forth between areas of the Emergency Department.

The remodel project will create a new space design that ensures compliance with HIPAA privacy requirements; as well as improve the patient’s experience by streamlining the transition between the Emergency Department areas, and enhance the level of diagnosis and treatment in the triage area. The improvements to the triage area will require fewer patients to be transferred to the emergency rooms for treatment. As a result, emergency rooms will remain available for patients arriving by ambulance, reducing the number of ambulance diversions to other medical facilities and avoiding delays in emergency treatment.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.

Approval of this action contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing residents with access to emergency services.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The estimated cost of this project is between $300,000 – $350,000 to include design, project management, and construction. The broad range is due to unknown costs associated with complex modifications of the existing mechanical and electrical systems. This project, entirely funded with a Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Grant, has been established in the FY 2010-2011 Capital Project Budget.