The Plumas Model

October-14-2024

California’s remote, rural communities are facing a critical loss of maternity services. Often, the only maternity care provider in these areas is a critical access or frontier hospital. Plumas District Hospital was the last frontier hospital in California to offer maternity services.

In July 2021, town hall forums were held to assess community needs. The feedback was clear: Plumas County women want and need local maternity and childbirth services, with many expressing a desire for community birth options.

Although labor and delivery services were suspended in 2022, the strong support from the community inspired the hospital administration and medical staff to continue their efforts.

This determination led to the creation of The Plumas Model.

Plumas Model Frequently Asked Questions

Preserve access to local prenatal care for all expectant mothers
Reintroduce childbirth services for low-risk patients.
Enhance recruitment and retention efforts.
This will be especially true for certified nurse midwives as it provides a venue in which they can practice to the full extent of their scope of practice.

Triage and refer patients to get the right care in the right setting at the right time.
Utilize a Regional Perinatal Network.
Use of telehealth in the clinic and ED for perinatal and neonatal consultation
Patient education/case management

Care is local.
Decrease disease and death for mom and baby.
Decrease need for transportation for some patients.
Community viability, support young families, more attainable for families/household budget
Keeps young families in the community.
Preserves local prenatal and postnatal care supports a healthy hospital financial position by increasing visits and diagnostic tests and procedures.

Cost for staffing are shared among the rural health clinic, birth center and hospital, providing financial stability.
There will be an increase in revenue due to the new service line with additional office visits and diagnostic tests and procedure.