DATE: June 21, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Amendment I to Agreement with Avenal Community Health
Center dba, Aria Community Health Center
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment I to Agreement with Avenal Community Health Center dba, Aria Community Health Center for budget revisions, with no change in the term of December 14, 2021 through September 29, 2023 or compensation maximum of $375,762.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, which will allow Avenal Community Health Center dba, Aria Community Health Center (Aria) to add a remote patient monitoring software platform to measure blood pressure and health education materials aimed at increasing the patient’s knowledge of their blood pressure numbers to help guide their care. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the recommended action is not approved, Aria will not be able to afford the current patient monitored blood pressure platform and risk being unable to complete the terms of the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. There are no changes to the maximum compensation ($375,762), but rather an adjustment on how funds will be utilized to provide more cost effective and efficient services. The recommended amendment is fully funded through the Collaborating for Wellness grant provided through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Notice of Funding Opportunity DP18-1817. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budget requests for the duration of the agreement.
DISCUSSION:
On December 14, 2021, your Board approved an agreement (No. A-21-545) with Aria to begin services for improving prevention and management of heart disease and stroke of County residents at high risk.
If approved, the recommended amendment will revise the budget by reducing less than half of one Care Team Member position to add a remote patient monitoring software platform. The decrease in staffing will offset the software platform costs and provide an opportunity to increase patient selfcare knowledge. The remote patient monitoring software platform was designed by physicians that support patient-directed remote monitoring of blood pressure and other vitals. The portal provides the medical care provider full access to the patient’s vital sign data (in real-time) with embedded analysis tools for interpretation of the data. The new system will allow for more efficient usage of staff time and will streamline data entry processes. The requested salary and benefits changes will not impact service delivery.
The purpose of self-monitored blood pressure (SMBP) is to increase patient knowledge of blood pressure numbers to guide care. This platform will provide patients and medical providers with a snapshot of blood pressure progress and identify barriers and outcomes to blood pressure management. The platform is designed to have patients engage non-physician team members in their SMBP programs or interventions to improve blood pressure control.
The utilization of the software platform has been approved by the funder, the CDC, and the management of the platform will be performed by Aria.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #71, December 14, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment to Agreement with Aria
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander