REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 7, 2024
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Justice for Continued Access to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Memorandum of Understanding No. 22-59 with the California Department of Justice, California Justice Information Services Division, Justice Data and Investigative Services Bureau Version 3.0A, for continued access to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System, increasing the total cost by $50,000, from $50,000 to $100,000, and extending the term for an additional two years for a total term of April 12, 2022 through June 30, 2026.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, Director, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The increased total cost of $100,000, $25,000 annually, is funded by State Medi-Cal, Federal Medicare, private insurances, and other departmental revenue. Funding sources may change in the future pending any legislative activity related to the repeal and/or replacement of the Affordable Care Act. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) is a database containing information about Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substance prescriptions dispensed to patients as reported by the dispensing pharmacy, clinic or other dispenser pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 11165(d). The CURES Program grants authorized health care practitioners and pharmacists access to query the CURES database to assist in efforts to ensure appropriate prescribing, ordering, administering, furnishing, and dispensing of controlled substances. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allows ARMC to integrate CURES with its Epic electronic health records system.
The recommended amendment extends the term of MOU No. 22-59, allowing ARMC continued access to CURES for two additional years, at the annual cost of $25,000, for a total cost of $100,000 through June 30, 2026. The terms of this MOU state that failure of the County to execute and return any amendments in a timely manner may result in termination of use of the CURES database.
On February 8, 2022 (Item No. 17), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved MOU No. 22-59 with the California Department of Justice, California Justice Information Services Division, Justice Data and Investigative Services Bureau Version 3.0A, for access to the CURES database, in an annual amount not to exceed $25,000, for a total of $50,000 for the term of April 12, 2022 through June 30, 2024.
ARMC recommends approval of this item as this will provide for the safety, health, and social service needs of County residents by providing the ability to quickly access all patient prescription records of controlled substances across the country.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Supervising County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 5, 2024; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Budget and Finance Officer, 580-3165) on April 15, 2024; Finance (Jenny Yang, Administrative Analyst, 387-4884) on April 16, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 18, 2024.