To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Brian C. Hunter, M.D.
title
RE: Approval to create, post and fill a scribe position
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve the creation of a scribe position
BACKGROUND:
Since 2017 the medical examiner’s office has used EPIC as the office information management system through a cooperative agreement with Hurley Medical System. This implementation has dramatically improved efficiency within the office and enhanced and promoted collaboration with Hurley Medical Center. Included within that implementation was an agreement to use medical scribes provided by Kettering University through Hurley Medical Center. The scribe works with the pathologist to document findings of the external and internal examinations of the autopsy. The documentation from the scribe greatly helps the pathologist when completing the final written autopsy report. The use of scribes has further enhanced the efficiency of office work-flow and has allowed the medical examiner’s office to compile annual data reports to share with the Genesee County Board of Commissioners and other community agencies. The cost of the contract with Hurley Medical Center for the scribe is $33,000.00 per FY. The Kettering University students that worked as scribes were pre-med students. Working as medical scribes served as the required co-op work experience for the pre-med students. Kettering University, however, has decided to eliminate the applied biology major that supplied most of the students that were considered pre-med, thereby effectively draining the pool of interested applicants for the scribe position. We are asking to move the contracted scribe position to a full-time county position and use the $33,000.00 that has been paid to Hurley Medical Center for the scribe to help offset the cost of moving the position to a county position.
DISCUSSION:
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
One of the primary responsibilities of a Medical Examiner's Office is to investigate and determine the cause of death in cases where the cause of death is unknown, or the death is due to trauma. This information is vital for public health surveillance and identifying potential threats to community health and safety, such as contagious diseases or public health emergencies.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan that the Request of the Medical Examiner to approve the creation of a scribe position is hereby approved in accordance with the memorandum request (the Memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the materials of the November 8, 2023 Finance Committee of this Board) and the CFO is authorized to make the attached budget adjustments.