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Annual Reports

RCMS Community Update     March 30, 2020

3/30/2020

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PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU COME (707-884-4005) for Urgent or Primary Care
 
COVID-19 Testing
Given the shortage of test kits, we are following the Public Health Department protocol and guidelines regarding who will be tested. Not everyone is tested. Given the current lab turnaround time, it could take 7+ days for us to get the results.
 
If you are tested, you will be instructed to follow the Public Health Department’s self-isolation guidelines that are provided to us
 
Urgent Care
Main Gualala Building, for the time being, is converted into an Urgent Care only facility.
 
While our focus is those with respiratory issues, Urgent Care is still seeing all other urgent/emergent medical conditions. We have divided Urgent Care into respiratory and non-respiratory zones in an effort to keep patients safe. 
 
PLEASE CALL FIRST so that we can direct you to the appropriate clinic for your care.   Once you arrive at the facility, you will be received at the Triage tent outside and the nurse there will guide you to the appropriate location in our facility.
 
Primary Care
We are also available, think it is important, and want to continue to provide access to Primary Care services
 
This can be done in couple of ways.
 
If you are able to come into the clinic:  
  • Sea Watch in Gualala and the RCMS Point Arena Medical Clinic are open for Primary Care to patients without infectious respiratory symptoms.
  • We have providers available for well child visits and vaccinations (important not to get behind), lab/blood draws ordered by your PCP and outside providers, INR’s, A1c’s, MAT rx and med refills, and chronic and other health care maintenance issues.
 
 
If you are not able to come to the clinic:
  • Over age 65, chronic medical issues: copd, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, other lung issues, or are immunocompromised; or due to transportation or other challenges cannot get into the clinic, you can set up a Telehealth visit.
  • One of our providers can call you at home and/or connect with you on a video platform (requires a smart phone with a camera or a computer) and address your medical concerns.
 
Please note that a clinic visit for getting medical care is not restricted under shelter in place guidelines.  You are still allowed to visit your medical provider.
 
Our providers and support staff are following appropriate guidelines regarding wearing protection gear. All our facilities are regularly disinfected as required
 
 
RCMS Contingency Plan
We continue to update our contingency plan as COVID-19 related situation evolves. These include, but are not limited to:
  • Convert the  Gualala main building into an urgent care only facility, if needed
  • Rotation plan for our providers and clinic support staff for extended coverage to care for patients
  • Additional facilities (tents) in case of surge in Urgent Care patients
  • Coordination with CLSD, local Fire departments
  • Constant communication with County Public Health Department for help and coordination
  • Putting together a list of volunteers, both medical and non-medical, for need during a surge
  • Having adequate medical supplies
 
We, at RCMS, are focused on keeping our community safe and healthy during this stressful time. And we very much appreciate all the help and support we are getting from the community.
 
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL THE GUIDELINES GIVEN TO US BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS
​

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Dental Clinic Update

3/25/2020

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The Dental Office will be closed, except Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for emergency treatment. For the health and safety of our staff and our community, non-urgent dental treatments have been postponed until an unknown date.  This determination will be done on a case by case basis in order to decide whether the dental facility is an appropriate setting to provide the necessary services needed. Please call our dental facility at (707) 882-2189 before coming in. ​
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RCMS Community Update     March 25, 2020

3/25/2020

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Urgent Care
Focus has been on taking care of urgent care patients , especially those with respiratory issues.  Urgent Care is still seeing all other urgent/emergent medical conditions, and we have divided the clinic into respiratory and non-respiratory zones in an effort to keep patients safe.  PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU COME.
 
Primary Care
We are also available, think it is important, and want to continue to provide access to Primary Care services. This can be done in a few ways.
If you are worried about leaving your home and are sheltering in place:
  • Over age 65, chronic medical issues: copd, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, other lung issues, or are immune compromised; or due to transportation or other challenges cannot get into the clinic, you can set up a Telehealth visit.
  • One of our providers can call you at home and/or connect with you on a video platform(requires a smart phone with a camera or a computer) and address your medical concerns.
  • Telehealth visits can be scheduled by calling 884-4005/882-1704
 
If you are able to come into the clinic:  
  • Sea Watch in Gualala and the RCMS Point Arena Medical Clinic are still up and running.
  • We are only seeing asymptomatic patients at these two sites. No one who is sick with fevers or respiratory issues!
  • (The main Gualala clinic is reserved for Urgent Care and patients with symptoms).
  • We have providers available for well child visits and vaccinations(important not to get behind), lab/blood draws ordered by your PCP and outside providers, INR’s, A1c’s, MAT rx and med refills, and chronic and other health care maintenance issues.
  • Call 884-4005 or 882-1704 and we will get you scheduled
 
We also will be looking through our medical records and you may get a call from us if your provider thinks it is important to have either a Telehealth or in person visit.
 
We want to keep you and our community healthy!
 
Thank you.
​Ara Chakrabarti, CEO

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First Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Mendocino County.   Health Officer Orders County Residents Shelter-In-Place

3/19/2020

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Both Mendocino and Sonoma Counties have been ordered to shelter in place. Get the officel details from the county sites at:
Mendocino County: https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus
Sonoma County: http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CAO/Press-Releases/Health-Officer-Orders-County-Residents-Shelter-in-Place/

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Interview with RCMS CEO, Ara Chakrabarti KGUA on 3/25

3/18/2020

 
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Ara Chakrabarti, CEO will be a guest on Peggy's Place on KGUA 88.3 FM on Wednesday March 25. Tune into 88.3 FM at 9:00 am for the live show, replay at 1:00 pm and you can stream online from their website at KGUA.org. If you missed the interview you can catch it here ​https://soundcloud.com/kgua/ara-caharabarti-and-barb-britell-rcms-covid-19-update-32520

RCMS Meetings, Groups and Classes Cancelled Until Further Notice

3/17/2020

 
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All upcoming gatherings have been cancelled in accordance with the recommendations from the CDC on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) including the upcoming Board of Directors meeting, Hospice Talk, and Healthy Habits course. We will post notice when this changes.

RCMS Prepares for COVID-19 Coronavirus - from the CEO

3/17/2020

 
​Dear Mendonoma Community:
 
I am writing this advisory to inform you of changes RCMS is making to our normal procedures in preparation for the possible influx to our Urgent Care of higher numbers of patients with respiratory distress and related symptoms. These steps are proactive, to prevent overwhelming our Urgent Care.
 
1.The Gualala Clinic will expand its Urgent Care (UC) space.  It will be staffed by two providers. The first will attend to UC patients. The second provider will provide UC back-up as needed, while seeing primary care patients as time permits.
 
2.Non-Urgent Care/ Primary Care (e.g. normal primary care follow-ups, particularly for more pressing primary care issues) will be performed at Sea Watch (39150 Ocean Drive) and Point Arena.  Sea Watch and Point Arena may have 2 providers at once. 
 
3.Triage Tent: We have erected a tent in front of Urgent Care (for all triage) and a tent behind the parking lot for use for possible patient overflow. (Note: Triage is the process of sorting people based on their need for immediate medical treatment)
 
RCMS will start sending all respiratory/flu/cough/cold patients to the Gualala clinic.  We are also strongly encouraging all patients (not just cough/cold/flu) to call 707-884-4005 before coming in.   This will allow us to properly triage and isolate possible Coronavirus patients, as well as reduce risk of contaminating our other clinics. 
 
CORONAVIRUS TESTING:  We are NOT testing everyone nor doing screening for patients not showing any symptoms.  Due to limited testing supplies, we have strict protocols for testing and non-testing, made by the providers on a case by case situation.  If you are tested, you might be sent home to self-quarantine until your coronavirus test returns.  Currently this is a 72 hours turnaround process. RCMS will exercise appropriate treatment protocol depending on the test result.  
 
 MASS CASUALTY PLAN:  In the event that acutely ill patient numbers stress the system, we will shift to have more Providers doing Urgent Care duties.  We have placed a treatment tent behind the parking lot for patient overflow.  In addition, we are cooperating with the Coastal Life Support District (CLSD), the Fire Department, and Health Department to make future plans for this emergency.  
 
OUR STAFF AND STAFF FAMILY HEALTH:  We are actively monitoring the health of our staff. We will use the same protocol regarding testing/treating our staff. Our staff are wearing personal protective equipment consistent with protocols provided by the CDC.
 
RCMS understands that Coronavirus presents a challenging and stressful time for all Mendonomans. We are monitoring changes on a daily, even hourly, basis. We want you to know that RCMS is here for you. The RCMS staff and board urge you to be kind, calm, and patient with each other. 
 
Ara Chakrabarti
Chief Executive Officer
Redwood Coast Medical Services, Inc.
PO Box 1100
Gualala, CA 95445-1100
www.rcms-healthcare.org
achakrabarti@rcms-healthcare.org
Tel: (707) 884 - 4050

CRC Suspending Services Until Further Notice

3/16/2020

 
Due to the recent recommendations by the state, the Community Resources Connection (CRC) office is closed until further notice.  There will be no rides available. (707) 884-9215 for more information.

RCMS Dental Clinic Announcement

3/16/2020

 
Effectively Immediately: In our continuing effort to be prepared for the COVID-19 Coronavirus the RCMS Dental Clinic is accommodating emergency patients only. This determination will be done on a case by case basis in order to decide whether the dental facility is an appropriate setting to provide the necessary services needed. 
 Please call our dental facility at 707-882-2189 before coming in. 

RCMS Coronavirus Update

3/13/2020

 
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In our continuing effort to be prepared for the COVID-19 Coronavirus, RCMS has set up a triage tent outside of the main entrance to the Gualala clinic. If you are coming to the clinic, you will be asked if you have flu like symptoms with respiratory distress. If so, you will be asked to go to the triage tent first. Based on the triage, you will be brought into appropriate area in the clinic.
 
You are still strongly advised to call first (707-884-4005) before you come to the clinic so we can we appropriately prepared when you come in.
 
Also visit https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus, and https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/ for current county specific information and updates.

​See updates from RCMS on our COVID-19 page.

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  • Home
  • For Patients
    • Make an Appointment
    • Patient Forms
    • Financial Assistance
    • COVID-19
  • Services
    • Primary Care
    • Urgent Care
    • Dental Care
    • Women's Health
    • Behavioral Health
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Health Education
    • Hospice
  • ABOUT
    • Contact Us
    • Leadership
    • Providers
    • Board of Directors
    • Privacy Policy
    • Donate >
      • IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
  • Careers
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