Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Scott Gilman, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Memorandum of Understanding with AHMC Health for 5150 Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution designating AHMC Health as a facility designated by the County for evaluation and treatment under Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150 et seq. and simultaneously authorizing an amended Memorandum of Understanding detailing the 5150 process and procedures with the provider for a term of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, with an annual automatic renewal for one year upon review by the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Designated Facility Review Team; and
B) Authorize the Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, or designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
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BACKGROUND:
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has contracted with AHMC Health (AHMC), previously known as Seton Medical Center (Seton), for 5150 inpatient services since 2017. Specifically, BHRS uses AHMC’s 20 licensed acute psychiatric beds to service the population of clients 65 years and older, as a supplement to the inpatient psychiatric unit at the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC), in an effort to find placement solutions that will allow clients to remain close to their families.
BHRS assembled a Designated Facility Review Team (DRT) consisting of the Medical Director, Assistant Director, and the Quality Manager to work with AHMC staff to establish: the terms of the designation represented in the MOU; training and certification processes to educate staff regarding County involuntary hold policies; and competency training regarding patient rights and hearing procedures, which is led by the Patients’ Rights Advocate from the Mental Health Association, Alameda Chapter. The DRT is also responsible for recruiting and hiring required staffing to operate the unit.
The focus by AHMC on the 65 years of age and older adult population meets a specific need that is not currently served, through focused treatment that includes a full array of therapeutic programs and services that maximize patient services for this age group. At a minimum, AHMC expands the inpatient hospital continuum in the County, keeping older residents in County and close to family; helps meet a growing need in the continuum for level of care capacity; and ultimately reduces the impact on SMMC as the only in-County facility currently designated and capable of serving only older adult inpatient needs.
DISCUSSION:
This designation and MOU are being updated to reflect the change in ownership from Seton to AHMC. BHRS requests your Board to continue designation of AHMC as a 5150 facility to receive clients that are 65 years of age and older that are involuntarily detained, and simultaneously authorize an amended MOU detailing the 5150 process and procedures with the provider. The continued designation allows AHMC to receive patients on a 5150 hold that meet AHMC’s admissions criteria and need evaluation and treatment at a geropsychiatry facility. This designation conforms to the requirements of BHRS Policy 90-09: 5150 Designated Facilities, and California Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5150.
The BHRS DRT will annually review AHMC’s performance as a designated 5150 facility, making recommendations for improvement if needed prior to the expiration of the agreement. Pending DRT review and approval, the designation and amended MOU will renew annually.
The amended MOU and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
It is anticipated that 300 Medi-Cal clients will be served at AHMC in FY 2020-21.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2019-20 Actual |
FY 2020-21 Estimated |
|
Number of Medi-Cal clients served at AHMC |
300 clients |
300 clients |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 with an annual automatic renewal for one year upon review by the BHRS DRT. There is no funding associated with this agreement.