Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Agreement with Propio LS LLC to Provide Interpretation Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Propio LS LLC to provide interpretation services for the term of August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2031, in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) has been using voice and video medical interpreting for its patients since 2007. A commercial vendor is required to provide language interpretation and translation services so that SMMC and other San Mateo County Health (SMCH) divisions' staff may communicate with their limited English proficiency patients and clients. In April 2025, SMMC completed a Request for Proposals for a vendor to provide these services.
DISCUSSION:
SMMC continues to have a critical need for voice and video medical interpretation. Propio LS LLC (Propio) was elevated due to their services aligning with SMMC's commitment to improving our systems to be more effective, efficient, less expensive, and less burdensome to our staff, allowing SMMC to better support patients. Propio also has years of experience working with other healthcare organizations such as Bay Area Community Health and Sutter Health and brings tailored expertise in medical interpretation services. Finally, Propio's broad suite of services will also help reduce the number of interpretation vendors needed to meet our patients' needs for medical interpretation, further reducing costs.
Language access services are a requirement for Joint Commission accreditation, ensuring that SMMC remains compliant with regulatory standards. Providing effective interpretation services is a fundamental component of the Joint Commission's Advancing Effective Communica...
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