Physicians have just begun utilizing the Clinical portion of our Electronic Health Record (EHR), called Physician Practice Documentation (PPD). Trainers from Healthland (our EHR provider), were on campus last week to help our physicians and nurse practitioners get used to using it during patient visits. Our practitioners have already participated in extensive hands on training with the program; now they've begun entering patient records during appointments. You can expect your health care provider to spend some time sitting at the computer--there is a station in each patient room. Your care provider will be able to show you x-rays, labs, ultrasounds,...

Read More ›

Eastern Plumas Health Care will host a town hall meeting on Nov. 15 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at their Portola Campus Education Center. Dinner will be served. EPHC wants to understand the needs of their Eastern Plumas community and to be proactive in their plans to provide the services this community needs the most. Please take this opportunity to discuss your health care needs with EPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Tom Hayes and Plumas County Public Health Director, Mimi Hall. Also, EPHC is working with the Plumas County Public Health Agency and other area health and community organizations...

Read More ›

Often a joint creative vision gifts us with something that is greater than the sum of its parts. EPHC’s Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) in Portola and Loyalton recently received two standing frames for patients at the cost of $3,300 each—both gifts, and both the result of a combination of hard work and caring on the part of hospital employees, community members, and a grant from the Rotary Foundation.* Jeanne Harper, an occupational and hand therapist who works with EPHC’s SNF patients came up with the idea of raising money to purchase a standing frame for her wheelchair bound patients. Standing...

Read More ›

Eastern Plumas Health Care has recently purchased a new ultrasound machine—the GE Logic S8--which is several hundred pounds lighter and easier to move than the older unit it replaced. For Darlene Aikey, Ultrasound Technologist, the differences are much more profound. Replacing a ten year old machine means “light years in advancement.” Image quality on the new machine is much better thanks to “image harmonics,” which “puts together a set of ultrasound information and uses it to create a crisper image.” In layperson’s terms, it allows Aikey to see more in the image. It also allows for the same clear imaging no...

Read More ›

Dr. Carolina Blanco, EPHC’s new dentist is a native of El Salvador. She’s most recently moved to Portola from her private practice in San Francisco. She’s a long way from home, but Blanco has a unique perspective on countries and borders: “For me, life is a country,” she said. Indeed, Blanco is more full of life than most anyone you’ll meet. She’s also very happy with the change of scenery and with the types of patients she gets to see here in Plumas County, as well. Dr. Blanco came to the United States from El Salvador in 1997, and had...

Read More ›

If it’s possible for a year end hospital audit to be exciting, this one was, according to Eastern Plumas Health Care’s Board member, Jay Skutt. The Sept. 27 Board of Directors meeting heard the Auditor’s Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. EPHC showed such positive financial improvements, even Auditor Jerrel Tucker of TCA Partners LLP was excited. “For a hospital this size in the middle of nowhere, that’s a very good year. I was very surprised.” Tucker said that he chose to compare EPHC to “peer hospitals” that are “the best small hospitals in the state--to very profitable...

Read More ›

Flu shots are now available in limited supply* at our Portola and Graeagle Clinics on the following dates and times: Portola Medical Clinic: Tues, Oct. 9, 16, 30, 8:00 – 5:00, call 832.6600 for appointments. Graeagle Medical Clinic: Wed, Oct. 17, 1:00 – 5:00; Thurs, Nov. 1, 8:00 – 5:00, call 836.1122 for appointments. Cash price: $25, due at time of service. Flu shots are free to Medicare patients. Patients with other insurance should check their provider to decide whether to pay their out of pocket or choose the $25 special. High risk patients at all clinics (Graeagle, Indian Valley, Loyalton, and...

Read More ›

Michael Brooks D.P.M. joins the medical staff at EPHC this month. As a resident of Plumas County, he will provide EPHC’s clinics in Portola, Graeagle, and Loylton with general podiatric care, minor surgery, and sports medicine. Please call 832.6600 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Brooks received his training at the California College of Podiatric Medicine and for the past 35 years has been in private practice in the Bay Area. He is looking forward to bringing his clinical experience to Eastern Plumas Health Care. Seven years ago, Dr. Brooks and his wife discovered the Lakes Basin area and...

Read More ›

Hallie Coppi, Portola Skilled Nursing’s new Director of Nursing (DON), seems to have had a career path carved out for her—all she’s needed to do is keep her eyes open and follow it. She didn’t start out knowing she wanted to be a nurse or work in a skilled nursing facility, however. Coppi graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration from Gonzaga University, Washington. Raised in Mt. Shasta, she became a wildland fire fighter. While she was living in Bend, OR and fighting wildland fires, she inquired at a skilled nursing facility there regarding possible administration positions, where she could apply...

Read More ›

As a Registered Dietician, Diane Gruner provides nutrition therapy and education to patients with a variety of health conditions. Patients are referred to her by their Primary Care Physicians—this allows visits to covered by heath insurance. Medical and Medicare also cover her services. Diane begins by asking her patients many questions, including what their health goals are. Togther, they discuss their diet and health issues. She also may confer with their physician and review their health record. From this, she develops and individual nutrition plan to meet the patient’s requirements. From...

Read More ›