BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — The St. Lawrence County Department of Public Health will soon have new software for electronic health records.

St. Lawrence County Legislators approved a contract with Patagonia Health during the full board meeting on Oct. 3, allowing Public Health to transition away from its current provider after saying they “no longer fit the needs of the department.”

Officials say Patagonia Health provides electronic health record software that is specifically developed for public health departments and responded to a St. Lawrence County RFP with a proposal that meets departmental needs.

The contract is set to run for five years, from Dec. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2027, with an automatic five-year renewal, unless either party provides an opt out notice within three months of the end of service.

The contract includes the software, data migration, workflow, analysis training, interface setup, third-party fees for billing purposes, reporting assistance, billing functionality and ongoing education for staff, according to the resolution.

Total cost of the contract is estimated at $236,025 over the life of the contract, paid out in annual installments. $101,680 will be due the first year.

A budget modification was approved in conjunction with the contract authorization.

Legislators also authorized a contract with Pandadoc for the Public Health Department, allowing for the use of e-signature software for the Early Intervention Program.

The Early Intervention Program “supports and promotes the development of infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years of age) who have special needs related to developmental delays and enhances the capacity for families to meet these needs,” the resolution states.

Cost of the e-signature software will be $15,376, including a one time fee of $3,000, over the life of the three-year contract.