Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Rebecca MacDougall
Department: Medical Examiner and Trauma Services
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and Palm Beach County for Broward County to provide carbon monoxide testing on specimens delivered by Palm Beach County to the Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services; authorize the County Administrator to take all administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement; and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Agreement.
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Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) approval is required for the execution of this Agreement.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves the Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and Palm Beach County for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Testing.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER AND TRAUMA SERVICES RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE ACTION.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office accepts cases where the death is thought to be due to inhalation of products of combustion, for which carboxyhemoglobin saturation testing must be performed to determine carbon monoxide levels. The National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation standards require the availability of timely STAT carboxyhemoglobin saturation testing. Currently, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office does not provide this service, whereas the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services (“OMETS”) does.
This Agreement allows Palm Beach County to submit specimens for testing by OMETS at the rate set forth in Section 37.61 of the Broward County Administrative Code. The maximum amount payable under the Agreement by Palm Beach County is $450 for the initial three-year term, with up to two automatic one-year extensions with a maximum amount of $150 each year. Either party may terminate the Agreement with or without cause with 30 days’ advanced written notice.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Rebecca MacDougall, Chief Medical Examiner, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, 954-357-5209
Richard Freiheit, Chief of Medical Examiner Operations, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, 954-357-5255
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Palm Beach will pay the County’s standard Testing rate for each Test as set forth in Section 37.61 of the Broward County Administrative Code. Currently, $31.87 for each test.