Section 1451 Of Article 1. Administration From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2.5. >> Article 1.
1451
. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board
shall not let the care, maintenance, or attendance of the indigent
sick or dependent poor by contract to any person.
(b) The board may secure for the indigent sick, and other persons
admissible to the county hospital, at an agreed rate, hospital
service, or any portion thereof, from any public or private hospital,
clinic, rest home, sanitarium, or other suitable facility, or from
any corporation formed under Section 9201 of the Corporations Code or
under Chapter 11A (commencing with Section 11491) of Part 2of
Division 2 of the Insurance Code that operates in the state, in the
following cases:
(1) Cases of unusual difficulty.
(2) Cases that require treatment, or hospital services, or the use
of facilities not immediately available in the county hospital.
(3) Cases requiring emergency care or continued treatment after
the emergency has ceased to exist.
(c) As used in this section, "hospital service" includes medical,
surgical, radiological, laboratory, nursing service, convalescent
care, and the furnishing of the necessary professional personnel,
equipment, and facilities to manage the needs of patients on a
continuing basis in accordance with accepted medical standards, with
a staff of professional nursing personnel who are assigned and
available under a clear and definite responsibility to the
institution rendering the service for the provision of services to
the patients, and any other care, service, or supplies that may be
necessary for the treatment of the sick or injured.
(d) The county may also contract with licensed boarding homes for
24-hour care for dependent children under the age of 18 years when
suitable facilities are not otherwise available in any institution or
establishment maintained and operated by the county.
(e) The county may also contract for medical treatment of persons
admissible to the county hospital with any licensed physician and
surgeon, or a corporation operating under Section 9201 of the
Corporations Code.
(f) The county may also contract for health care services when the
board determines that the hospital services or any portion thereof
rendered by the county hospital should be coordinated with those
provided by any other source.