REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 28, 2020
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title v
Donation of Funds from Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Foundation and Master Employment Agreements for Gilead Focus Grant
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept donation of $261,341 from Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Foundation for continued funding towards development of a program for diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis, and linkage of patients to follow-up care, based on the Gilead Focus Grant awarded to the Foundation for a fourth year of funding for the period of July 28, 2020 through July 27, 2021.
2. Approve Master Employment Agreement for contract Care Coordinator position funded by Recommendation No. 1, for the period of July 28, 2020 through July 27, 2021, with a one-year extension option.
3. Approve Master Employment Agreement for contract Medical Laboratory Technologist positions funded by Recommendation No. 1, for the period of July 28, 2020 through July 27, 2021, with a one-year extension option.
4. Approve Master Employment Agreement for contract Data Collection staff position funded by Recommendation No. 1, for the period of July 28, 2020 through July 27, 2021, with a one-year extension option.
5. Authorize the Director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center or Hospital Administrator to execute Master Employment Agreements and extensions for Recommendations No. 2, 3, and 4, subject to County Counsel review and signature.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, Director, 580-6150)
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COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The donation in the amount of $261,341 by Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Foundation (Foundation) will be used to fund a program for diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis (HCV), and linkage of patients to follow-up care, based on the GILEAD Sciences for the Frontlines of Communities in the United States (FOCUS) grant awarded to the Foundation for the third year. The total costs of the employment agreements, as well as related benefits, will be fully funded by the grant. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) 2020-2021 budget and will be included in the future recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of Recommendation No. 1 will allow ARMC to accept a fourth year funding award from the Foundation, based on FOCUS grant. The funding will continue to be used to support the HIV and HCV program medical research another year for diagnosing and linkage of patients to follow-up care.
Approval of Recommendations No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 will allow ARMC to implement routine HIV/HCV testing within the Emergency Department through use of three contract employees (one full-time Care Coordinator, one part-time Medical Laboratory Technologist and one part-time Data Collection Staff) in support of the FOCUS program. ARMC currently does not have any other funding sources that support HIV and/or HCV screening, and use of the contract employees allows ARMC to support the HIV and HCV program and comply with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requirements at ARMC for HIV/HCV testing.
The Foundation is a philanthropic 501(c)3 organization that raises funds for a variety of essential patient care programs, equipment, staff training, and other initiatives in support of ARMC. Per the provisions of the Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation, funds raised by the Foundation may only be used to support the operation of ARMC, including scientific medical research, continuing education of physicians, resident physicians, nurses, interns and other ARMC personnel; and education of patients and the general public in health-related matters.
The purpose of the HIV and HCV program is to make routine HIV/HCV screening a standard of care in the ARMC Emergency Department (ED) 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This program is reducing the number of undiagnosed and/or late diagnosed patients, ensuring linkage to care, enhancing communication between health care providers and patients, and changing public perceptions that discourage testing. The program includes all patients visiting the emergency room at ARMC and require a blood draw for their standard of care.
On February 13, 2017 (Item No. 16), the Board accepted a donation of $339,954 from the Foundation to be used towards development of a program for diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis, and linkage of patients to follow up care, based on the FOCUS grant awarded to the Foundation; Approved Master Employment Agreement No. 17-70 for contract Care Coordinator position at ARMC for the one-year, effective February 14, 2017, through February 13, 2018, with an option to extend two additional one-year periods; Approved Master Employment Agreement No. 17-71 for contract Medical Laboratory Technologist positions at ARMC for the one-year, effective February 14, 2017, through February 13, 2018, with an option to extend two additional one-year periods; and Authorized the Director of ARMC or Hospital Administrator to execute individual employment agreements on behalf of the County, pursuant to the Master Employment Agreements.
On February 13, 2018 (Item No. 8), the Board of Supervisors (Board) accepted a donation of $290,480 from the Foundation to be used towards development of a program for diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis, and linkage of patients to follow up care, based on the FOCUS grant awarded to the Foundation for a second year; Approved Amendment No. 1 to Master Employment Agreement No. 17-70 for contract Care Coordinator position at ARMC for the one-year, effective February 14, 2018, through February 13, 2019, with an option to extend an additional one-year; Approved Amendment No. 1 to Master Employment Agreement No. 17-71 for contract Medical Laboratory Technologist positions at ARMC for the one-year, effective February 14, 2018, through February 13, 2019, with an option to extend an additional one-year; and Authorized the Director of ARMC or Hospital Administrator to execute individual employment agreements on behalf of the County, pursuant to the Master Employment Agreements.
On February 12, 2019, the Board accepted a donation of $350,000 from Foundation to be used towards development of a program for diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis, and linkage of patients to follow up care, based on FOCUS grant awarded to the Foundation; Approved Master Employment Agreement No. 17-70 for contract Care Coordinator position at ARMC for the one-year, effective February 14, 2019, through February 13, 2020, with an option to extend two additional one-year periods; Approved Master Employment Agreement No. 17-71 for contract Medical Laboratory Technologist positions at ARMC for the one-year, effective February 14, 2019, through February 13, 2020, with an option to extend two additional one-year periods; and Authorized the Director of ARMC or Hospital Administrator to execute individual employment agreements on behalf of the County, pursuant to the Master Employment Agreements.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Resources (Mark DeBoer, Human Resource Assistant Director, 387-5570) on July 14, 2020; County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5397) on July 13, 2020; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Budget and Finance Officer, 580-3165) on July 8, 2020; Finance (Yael Verduzco, Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on July 13, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on July 13, 2020.