​California is home to four types of ticks, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
​

• American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
• Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
• Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni)
• Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus)

After You Come Indoors

Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.
 
Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
 
Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
 
Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:

• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around the hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

What is a PA?
 
PAs (physician associates/physician assistants) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting.
 
Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.
 
 
What education do PAs have?
 
PAs are educated at the master’s degree level. There are more than 306 PA programs in the country and admission is highly competitive, requiring a bachelor’s degree and completion of courses in basic and behavioral sciences as prerequisites. Incoming PA students bring with them an average of more than 3,000 hours of direct patient contact experience, having worked as paramedics, athletic trainers, or medical assistants, for example. PA programs are approximately 27 months (three academic years) after earning a bachelor’s degree, and include classroom instruction and more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations.
 
 
What is the public perception of PAs?
 
PAs are trusted healthcare providers. A 2022 NCCPA study found that over two thirds of respondents reported having received medical care from a PA. The same study found more than 93% of patients were satisfied with medical care rendered by a PA. Respondents reported that they believed PAs are well educated in medicine and have more time to spend with patients regarding their medical concerns.*
 
Likewise, a 2023 Harris Poll found extremely high satisfaction rates among Americans who have seen a PA or have a family member who has seen a PA. The survey found that 90 percent regard PAs as trusted healthcare providers and 91 percent believe that PAs are part of the solution to address the shortage of healthcare providers.**
 
*“Public Perceptions of Physician Assistants Reporter from 2018 and 2022 Surveys.” The most recent NCCPA survey was conducted in January 2022 with 1,521 respondents.
 
**”The Patient Experience: Perspectives on Today’s Healthcare.” The research was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of AAPA among 2,519 adults age 18+. The survey was conducted from February 23 – March 9, 2023. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish.
 
 
For more information please visit: https://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/

​Thank you to our dedicated PAs
Barb Brittell
Leon Koenck
Lon Transue

NOTICE TO OUR COMMUNITY

RCMS, as a community medical provider, would like to advise our patients that we have learned of a recent nationwide cyberattack against some commercial pharmacies. This may impair pharmacies’ prescription records, and may interrupt some medication fills/refills.  We ask that patients monitor their new and recurrent medication prescriptions; if you do not receive refills or new prescriptions as expected, please reach out to the RCMS refill nurse at 707.884.4005 x2 to make sure your prescriptions were not affected.​



AVISO A NUESTRA COMUNIDAD


RCMS, como proveedor médico comunitario, desea informar a nuestros pacientes que nos hemos enterado de un reciente ciberataque a nivel nacional contra algunas farmacias comerciales. Esto puede afectar los registros de recetas de las farmacias y puede interrumpir algunos surtidos o resurtidos de medicamentos. Pedimos que los pacientes controlen sus prescripciones de medicamentos nuevos y recurrentes; Si no recibe resurtidos o nuevas recetas como esperaba, comuníquese con la enfermera de reabastecimiento de RCMS al 707.884.4005 x2 para asegurarse de que sus recetas no se vean afectadas.