To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal) Regarding Gonorrhea (GC) Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) Services
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding (MOU) and business associate agreement with PPNorCal regarding GC AST services provided by the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory (HCPHL); and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations and documents directly associated with, the attached memorandum of understanding and business associate agreement with PPNorCal, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management, and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Contract Unit with one (1) fully executed, certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1002- Remove barriers to quality healthcare
DISCUSSION:
In May 2022, the HCPHL received a state funding allocation for GC AST to monitor cases of concern (e.g., suspected treatment failures), cases with prevalent susceptibility, and to expand the potential to capture emerging resistance to antibiotic treatments.
The MOU outlines the parties’ understanding of their respective responsibilities. The above goals will be accomplished by undertaking the following activities:
1. HCPHL will provide training to PPNorCal Clinicians on specimen collection and will also provide collection kits to PPNorCal for the sole purpose of transporting the specimens; and
2. PPNorCal clinicians will collect gonorrhea culture specimens pursuant to the collection guidelines provided by HCPHL; and
3. PPNorCal will complete the Requisition Form (Exhibit B) and contact the designated courier directly to arrange pickup and transport of specimens to HCPHL for testing; and
4. HCPHL will upload the results to the Apollo system for retrieval and review by PPNorCal.
This MOU shall become effective upon execution and will remain in effect until modified or terminated by any one of the partners by mutual consent.
The ability of the HCPHL to provide GC AST services to PPNorCal will result in improvements in community health and increased access to services to vulnerable populations
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175), Public Health Laboratory (435)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Upon approval, the financial impact of this MOU will mostly be reflected in HCPHL staff time to support GC AST. Reimbursement for staff time and any supplies associated with this agreement will be provided by the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Strengthening Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Program Capacity (SHARP) state funding allocation (1175-435) which includes funding for GC AST operations. The funding sources are currently budgeted within the county budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no impact to current staffing.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached MOU with PPNorCal regarding GC AST services. However, the alternative is not recommended since it will severely limit DHHS - Public Health’s ability to provide adequate GC AST services to the community.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planned Parenthood Northern California GC AST Services Memorandum of Understanding
2. Planned Parenthood Northern California Gonorrhea GC AST Services Business Associate Agreement
3. Exhibit A: Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Culture Collection Guidelines
4. Exhibit B: Gonorrhea Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Lab Requisition Form
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A