Health care services in Tuolumne County are primarily found in and around the city of Sonora. The community supports one acute care facility which includes the following services: 24-hour emergency medical care, a full-service cancer center, and a birth center. A new Cancer Center Pavilion and Institute is set to open in late 2017. There is one prompt care clinic, six primary care clinics, one veteran’s medical services and several private medical practices providing primary care including specialty care in the area. Low or no cost family planning and reproductive health services, as well as limited immunization services are provided by the county health department. The Hope Van is providing free medical services and referrals on a walk-in basis at numerous community locations. Dental services are provided by three dental clinics and a number of private dental practices that serve Tuolumne County. Optical services are available throughout the county. There are five Optometrist practices and one Ophthalmologist practice. A county wide adult health fair is held annually in October providing a wide assortment of health screenings and educational opportunities at no cost to participants (blood test fee: $25.00). The event is a community sponsored event drawing support from governmental, community service organizations, institutional, private practice, and individuals who support a two-day Health Fair serving approximately 2,750 participants.
Anthem Blue Cross and California Health and Wellness are the two Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans serving Tuolumne County.
Tuolumne County has five residential care facilities for the elderly and three skilled nursing facilities located throughout the county. Specific facilities provide medical, non-medical, and out-of-home care for clients that require personal services, such as bathing, grooming, observation and help with keeping medical, dental, and vision appointments. There are two facilities that target memory care. One is a residential care facility that specializes in elderly clients with dementia needs and a skilled nursing facility that also has a dementia unit to assist their residents.
Home health and hospice services are available to persons needing skilled medical services in their homes. Physical, occupational and speech therapy services, medical social work, home health aide services, wound care and ostomy services, as well as IV infusion therapy are available.
Tuolumne County Behavioral Health provides mental health services through a range of services and programs. The Crisis, Assessment & Intervention Program (CAIP) program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days/week and provides crisis and emergency psychiatric and supportive services. Outpatient Mental Health Services are also available for children, youth, adults and older adults for assessment and treatment planning, medication services, brief therapy, case management and group therapy to Medi-Cal beneficiaries meeting state criteria guidelines and low income persons. Behavioral Health also provides outpatient alcohol and drug treatment services.
Manteca District Ambulance provides ambulance services under contract. Five full time ambulances are staffed and one flexible deployed ambulance accommodates surges in requested ambulance services. Last year was the busiest year in the history of the service with approximately 8,000 calls. There are currently 266 First Responders, 258 EMT’s, 34 Paramedics, and seven flight nurses certified in the county. One air ambulance is based in Columbia to augment the EMS system by transporting critical patients to specialty care centers out of county.
Sonora Regional Medical Center
Sonora Regional Medical Center provides the following health care services:
• Six Primary Care and Internal Medicine Clinics
• Center for Breast Health
• Full Service Cancer Care-Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Infusion
• Cardiopulmonary Services
• Dental Care
• Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology
• Emergency Care
• Health Outreach
• Heart & Vascular Care
• Home Care
• Hospice Care
• Laboratory Services
• Maternity-Birth Center
• Nutritional Care
• Occupational Health
• Orthopedic Care: Center of Joint Replacement & Center for Sports Medicine
• Palliative Care
• Inpatient and Outpatient Pharmacies
• Prompt Cares
• Rehabilitation: Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
• Rural Health Clinic
• Skilled Nursing & Transitional Care Unit
• Spine Health
• Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery Center
• Wound Care including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy