Sierra Care Center Celebrates Exemplary Survey

Sonora, CA – Staff in Adventist Health Sonora’s skilled nursing units, the Sierra Care Center, recently celebrated their achievement in attaining an exemplary, no finding survey with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). During the end of March, five surveyors from CDPH spent four days touring the long-term care facilities, reviewing charts and interviewing residents about their care.

In California, long-term care facilities are subject to at least one unannounced survey each year. “The purpose is to make sure we are taking proper care of our residents,” explains Rusty Ingraham, RN, director of skilled nursing at Adventist Health Sonora. “The fact that we had no negative findings in patient care means that we are giving good care, following rules and doing things the right way.”

The team at the Sierra Care Center includes nursing, social services, activities, nutritional services, rehabilitation, medical records, housekeeping and plant services. All of the staff members work closely together to ensure a safe, home-like, family atmosphere that contributes to the overall quality of care that the residents receive.

“It is a privilege and an honor to take care of loved ones, and it’s a huge responsibility,” Ingraham says. “It is incredibly rewarding to know we are doing things right and that families have given us their trust with their loved ones.”

Sierra Care Center has two long-term care locations in Sonora; Unit 6 is located at 179 South Fairview Lane and Unit 7 is located at 538 Ponderosa Drive. A transitional care unit is adjacent to Unit 6 and provides short-term orthopedic, neurological and medical rehabilitation. More information is available by calling 209-536-3852.