REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 5, 2021
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Affiliation Agreement with California State University, Dominguez Hills for the Provision of Clinical Training for Nursing Students
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve a Non-Financial Affiliation Agreement with California State University, Dominguez Hills, for students in the School of Nursing, to obtain clinical training at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, for a period of five years effective upon execution.
(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 the Affiliation Agreement with California State University, Dominguez Hills (Dominguez Hills) will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as the recommended agreement is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The affiliation agreement will provide for the safety, health, and social services needs of County residents by allowing Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) to provide clinical training to Dominguez Hills School of Nursing students, who as a result, will assist in the delivery of care to ARMC patients. As a teaching hospital, ARMC has a number of agreements with educational institutions to provide on-site clinical training for students. The clinical training is necessary for students to obtain their degrees, licenses, and/or certifications.
The volume and diversity of ARMC patients provides a comprehensive educational opportunity to students from Dominguez Hills, which is a fully accredited educational institution. The affiliation agreement ensures nursing students receive specialty clinical training and experience from ARMC and gain vital skills needed in developing a competent workforce.
The recommended affiliation agreement is based on ARMC’s standard affiliation agreement, but includes the following non-standard terms negotiated by the parties:
1. The County is required to defend and indemnify Dominguez Hills and its employees from any claims arising out of the agreement, but only in proportion to and to the extent such claims are caused by the negligence of the County, its employees, and agents.
• The County standard contract does not require the County to defend or indemnify a Contractor under any circumstance.
• Potential Impact: By agreeing to indemnify Dominguez Hills, the County could be contractually waiving the protection of certain immunities. Claims that may otherwise be barred against the County, time limited, or expense limited could be brought against Dominguez Hills without such limitations and the County would be responsible to defend and reimburse Dominguez Hills for costs, expenses, and damages. Dominguez Hills is similarly obligated to defend and indemnify the County for claims that arise out of the negligence of Dominguez Hills.
2. Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason with 90 days advance written notice.
• The County standard contract permits either party to terminate the contract for any reason with 30 days written notice.
• Potential Impact: ARMC must be mindful of this additional notice period when considering the termination of this agreement as 90 days rather than 30 days notice is required to terminate the agreement.
ARMC recommends approval of the affiliation agreement, including the non-standard terms, to ensure that the students are able to obtain clinical training and provide care to ARMC patients, and to increase the future pool of healthcare providers.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 10, 2021; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Finance and Budget Officer, 580-3165) on August 31, 2021; Finance (Yael Verduzco, Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on September 1, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on September 6, 2021.