Amador County -- Sutter Amador Hospital and Sutter Medical Foundation, part of the Sutter Health network, have partnered to transition the hospital’s health centers and outpatient laboratory services to the medical foundation, effective March 1.

Sutter Amador Hospital CEO Anne Platt announced the change Tuesday, saying it “can help create better access for patients and make care more affordable for all.”

As a rural hospital, Sutter Amador Hospital delivers many outpatient medical services along with inpatient services under the hospital’s cost structure. Platt said many hospital services can be provided more efficiently if outpatient services are not charged at inpatient rates.

Over the past year, hospital leadership has been exploring ways to continue to offer care within the community while improving affordability so more patients can access services. Transitioning outpatient services, such as primary care and lab, to Sutter Medical Foundation helps meet the goal.

Care centers making the transition are Sutter Amador Pediatric Center, Sutter Amador Women’s Services, Jackson Family Practice, Pioneer Family Practice and Plymouth Family Practice. March 1, they will be known respectively as SMF Pediatrics Center, SMF Women’s Center, Jackson Health Center, Pioneer Health Center and Plymouth Health Center. All patients can receive outpatient lab service at the Sutter Medical Foundation Lab Patient Service Center located at 100 Mission Boulevard.

“Sutter Amador Hospital is transitioning employment for those who work within the centers and lab to Sutter Medical Foundation,” Platt sadi. “Sutter Medical Group also has offered employment to the physicians, nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses working in the five health clinics. No positions were eliminated as part of the transition.”

It brings other advantages for patients and Amador County, she said. Patients will have access to a comprehensive electronic health record a full three years ahead of the hospital’s anticipated implementation. Patients will also have greater access to Sutter Medical Group specialists across Northern California.

OB-GYN Doctor Robert Young said “in the past, Sutter Amador Hospital has had difficulty recruiting physicians to work in a rural community, and finding specialty physicians willing to accept patients… The hospital has only been able to offer new physicians private practice opportunities. As the complexities of health care have grown, private practice has become less attractive to providers.” But “Sutter Medical Group can help bridge that gap and can be a vital link in connecting our community with more specialty care options.”

Sutter Medical Group and Sutter Medical Foundation have had solid reputations for delivering quality and comprehensive care since the 1990s, recognized most recently by Integrated Healthcare Association as a top performer and California Association of Physician Groups for high standards of excellence.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.