District Nominee – Plumas District Hospital

The Plumas Hospital District has implemented the initiative to build a Skilled Nursing Facility, addressing a critical gap in the community's healthcare services. This facility provides essential long-term care for patients who require specialized nursing services, which were previously unavailable locally. By offering this level of care within the community, the district ensures that patients can receive comprehensive, continuous care without the need to travel long distances, thereby improving their overall health and well-being.

* How did the district determine the need for the initiative?

The need for the Skilled Nursing Facility was determined through a comprehensive assessment of community healthcare needs. For over a decade, the district recognized a significant gap in local healthcare services, as patients requiring skilled nursing care were being transferred to facilities far away, often over five hours from their families. This issue was identified through patient feedback, community surveys, and healthcare utilization data, which highlighted the inconvenience and emotional strain on patients and their families due to the lack of local skilled nursing options. Additionally, consultations with healthcare providers and community stakeholders confirmed the urgent need for a local skilled nursing facility. This thorough analysis and community engagement process underscored the critical importance of this initiative, leading the district to prioritize and successfully implement the project.

* How was the initiative funded?

The initiative to build the Skilled Nursing Facility was primarily funded through a USDA loan. This strategic funding choice ensured that there would be no financial burden on district taxpayers, allowing the community to benefit from the new facility without any additional local tax impact. Additionally, the Plumas Health Care Foundation has been instrumental in supporting this initiative through grant applications and fundraising efforts. Their ongoing financial support helps cover various costs associated with the project, ensuring its sustainability and success.

*How is this initiative innovative?

This initiative is innovative in several key ways. First, by securing a USDA loan, the district was able to finance the project without imposing any additional financial burden on local taxpayers, showcasing a creative approach to funding major healthcare projects. This funding model not only alleviates potential resistance from the community but also ensures broad-based support for the project.

Second, the new Skilled Nursing Facility is a state-of-the-art building designed to maximize space and resources by integrating with the main hospital adjacent to the facility. This integration allows for efficient use of existing resources and enhances the overall functionality of both the hospital and the new facility. The design reflects a fresh approach to healthcare infrastructure, focusing on creating a living space centered around the well-being and comfort of our patients. The facility aims to provide a homelike environment, ensuring that residents feel comfortable and supported during their stay.

This innovative approach addresses a critical healthcare gap by providing essential skilled nursing services locally, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for care. By keeping patients close to their families and support networks, the facility not only enhances patient outcomes but also strengthens community ties. The initiative exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to rural healthcare, prioritizing both the immediate and long-term health needs of the community.

* How did the district involve community stakeholders to achieve the goal(s) of the initiative(s)?

The district actively involved community stakeholders through a multifaceted approach to ensure the success of the Skilled Nursing Facility initiative. This included hosting community forums and board meetings where stakeholders could voice their opinions, ask questions, and provide valuable feedback. These forums and meetings fostered a sense of transparency and collaboration, allowing the district to incorporate community input into the planning and development process.
Additionally, the district engaged in continual outreach efforts, utilizing press releases and regular updates to inform stakeholders and community members of the progress and goals of the initiative. This consistent communication helped maintain community support and enthusiasm, ensuring that everyone was kept well-informed and could see the tangible benefits of the project. By actively involving the community and keeping them informed, the district built a strong foundation of trust and collaboration that was crucial for the initiative's success.

* How could this initiative be duplicated by other districts?

Other districts can replicate this initiative by adopting a similar comprehensive approach to community engagement and innovative funding strategies. Key steps include:

1.Securing USDA Funding: Like the Plumas Hospital District, other districts can explore funding options such as USDA loans to finance major projects without burdening local taxpayers. This approach can garner broad community support and ensure financial feasibility.

2.Community Engagement: Active involvement of community stakeholders is critical. Other districts can organize community forums and board meetings to gather input and foster transparency. Regular outreach through press releases and updates can keep the community informed and engaged throughout the project’s lifecycle.

3.State-of-the-Art Design: Designing a facility that maximizes space and resources by integrating with existing healthcare infrastructure can optimize functionality and efficiency. Creating a homelike environment focused on patient well-being and comfort can enhance the quality of care and improve patient satisfaction.

4.Communication and Collaboration: Continual outreach and clear communication with stakeholders are essential. Other districts should prioritize regular updates and transparent communication to maintain community trust and support.
By following these steps, other districts can successfully implement similar initiatives, addressing critical healthcare gaps and improving the overall health and well-being of their communities.

*Quantify any milestones or achievements resulting from the initiative.

The Skilled Nursing Facility initiative has reached several significant milestones and achievements, demonstrating the district's commitment to improving healthcare services for the community.

•Construction Progress: Since the groundbreaking at the end of August 2023, the facility’s construction has progressed rapidly. By June 2024, the entire footprint of the facility structure is up. Community members can see noticeable progress daily, reinforcing the district’s transparency and dedication to fulfilling its promises.

•Community Engagement: To ensure residents understand the new facility’s services, the district has held community education forums. These forums help residents determine if they or their loved ones qualify for the facility’s services, fostering greater community awareness and involvement.

•Staffing Achievements: The district has successfully filled key leadership positions for the new facility. The onboarding of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Chief Nursing Director ensures that the facility will be well-managed and provide high-quality care from the outset.

•Fundraising Efforts: The Plumas Health Care Foundation continues its fundraising efforts to support the facility. A community summer event is planned to raise the remaining funds needed to meet the foundation’s support goal. These efforts highlight the community’s collective commitment to the facility’s success.

•Projected Opening: With all construction activities on schedule, the district anticipates opening the doors of the Skilled Nursing Facility in Summer 2025. This timeline underscores the effective project management and diligent efforts of the district to deliver this critical healthcare resource.

These milestones reflect the district's proactive and transparent approach to addressing community healthcare needs, ensuring the successful completion and operation of the Skilled Nursing Facility.

Leadership and Advocacy
Our Hospital Leadership has been transformative. They spearheaded the groundbreaking of a much-needed skilled nursing facility, addressing a decade-long gap in our healthcare services. This facility ensures that patients can receive essential care locally, keeping them closer to their families and improving overall patient outcomes. The Hospital Leadership also led the district to achieve ACHD certification, underscoring our commitment to excellence and high standards in healthcare delivery.
Their advocacy efforts have brought statewide and national attention to the critical issue of securing labor and delivery services, a challenge that forced the closure of our unit after 65 years. The Hospital Leadership’s push for legislative adjustments and cost-based reimbursement initiatives has provided financial benefits and stability to our rural critical access hospital in an economically challenging climate. Their focus on leadership development, safety measures, and community relationships has created a supportive, empowering environment for both staff and patients.

Community Trust and Financial Stability
Our Board of Directors has been a pivotal support system for the district since 2014. Their leadership through the pandemic and other challenging times has earned them the trust of both hospital employees and community members. The Board's role in the skilled nursing facility initiative has been essential, demonstrating their dedication to meeting the community’s healthcare needs.

Their long-term service on the Plumas Health Care Foundation board since 2008 has ensured a strong and viable fundraising arm for the district. Their insight and commitment have directly supported the district’s initiatives, securing financial stability and enabling us to continue providing high-quality healthcare services.

Quality Efforts and Patient Satisfaction
Our district's commitment to quality healthcare is reflected in our remarkable improvement in overall patient satisfaction. We have increased our patient satisfaction rating from 4.7 to 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 7,639 total surveys capturing data from all patient-facing departments. This achievement highlights our dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in patient care.

Safety and Community Engagement
The Hospital Leadership’s efforts to restructure the safety plan have made our district a safer place for staff and patients. Regular drills and comprehensive training sessions have ensured preparedness for various emergency scenarios, enhancing overall safety and security. Additionally, the Hospital Leadership’s active involvement in the community through the school district, Rotary, and youth sports has built strong community relationships and fostered trust and collaboration.

The Board of Directors' advocacy and community engagement have been equally impactful. Their leadership and poise have made them trusted allies for both hospital employees and community members. Their efforts on the Plumas Health Care Foundation board have ensured that the district can maintain financial viability and support essential healthcare initiatives.

The Plumas Hospital District, under the exceptional leadership of our Hospital Leadership and the unwavering support of our Board of Directors, has achieved remarkable success in improving healthcare services, fostering community trust, and ensuring financial stability. Our dedication to quality healthcare and patient satisfaction, along with our strong community engagement, makes us a distinguished candidate for District of the Year.

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