Clinicas provides COVID19 testing and care for patients in Ventura County
CAMARILLO — Clinicas del Camino Real is being proactive and providing rapid response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As a primary provider of community health care services Clinicas is here to keep our staff, patients and community safe and healthy.
Clinicas is following all guidelines being established by the Center for Disease Control and is working closely with local infection control experts to implement safety measures. Clinicas is in constant contact with Federal, State, and local governments and has established a formal communication process in order to collaborate with other major health care providers, coordinate procedures, and ensure streamlined and efficient use of resources.
“We are in unprecedented times with the ongoing crisis of COVID-19 and things are evolving rapidly around us. All of Clinicas staff is dedicated to our mission to save lives and restore good health to the underserved population of our community, while providing quality care regardless of ability to pay,” said Dr. Gagan Pawar, Clinicas’ Chief Medical Officer. Roberto Juarez, Chief Executive Officer, added, “We are coordinating efforts with CMH and Dignity health systems to establish protocols and policies to provide, as much as possible, a streamlined system of care to Ventura county residents, following CDC guidelines adapted for local use.”
Clinicas health care centers will remain open and accessible to the public during regular posted hours. Clinicas patients should feel safe and secure coming to the clinic for their regular health care needs as we are regularly disinfecting our furniture, equipment and facilities. However, elderly patients, patients with chronic health conditions, and others at high risk should call their health center prior to coming in for a phone assessment. As a temporary measure all non-urgent visits including dental and optometry visits are being rescheduled after March 31st in order to accommodate patients with acute needs. Patients with stable conditions will be able to refill medications via a phone conference instead of a physical visit during this time.
Clinicas patients with suspected COVID-19 symptoms should call their health center prior to arrival for a phone screening and further instructions. Clinicas has expanded screening of our patients to include any international travel and travel history from Washington state, New York state, Massachusetts state, and Santa Clara county in the past 14 days. Patientswho screen with the above history and/or suspected symptoms will be tested in their cars in the parking lot to minimize exposure and risk to other patients. COVID-19 testing is currently intended only for Clinicas patients as appropriate and determined by a clinician. Non-Clinicas patients should call their primary care provider prior to calling Clinicas for screening or testing.
Community members should visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/, www.vcemergency.com, and www.ventura.org/covid19/ to stay informed on COVID-19 and should follow all health and safety measures as stated. Those with specific questions can also call the 2-1-1 hotline, which will be providing 24/7 COVID-19 information and support beginning March 18, 2020.
The community should be assured that Clinicas is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of all patients and to continue to provide medical care to those in need. Things are changing daily, and Clinicas will remain in direct communication with Federal State, State, and local governments, the CDC, and our local health care partners to keep apprised of current information and respond to any changes as needed.
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. has been providing quality primary and preventative health care services to residents of Ventura County since 1971. Its bilingual and bicultural staff is dedicated to providing ongoing care for patients with limited income, resources, cultural and language barriers and acting as a safety net service provider in times of need.