Concorde Staff
San Diego has long been a preferred destination for those seeking a healthy, robust, and sun-filled lifestyle. Understandably, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. With its stunning skyline set against the backdrop of the majestic Laguna Mountains on the shores of the warm Pacific Ocean, San Diego has an average daily temp of a very comfortable 70.5 degrees. With its mild climate and plethora of outdoor opportunities, it is no wonder that San Diego was rated in America’s Top 20 Healthiest Cities again this year by Forbes.
The population not only continues to grow in San Diego, but it continues to age as well, following the national trend outlined in the latest U.S. Census Bureau reports. As we age, we become more reliant on the healthcare system, and as a result of that reality, two of the largest employers in the San Diego area are Sharp HealthCare and UC San Diego Health System. These two healthcare conglomerates boast an extensive collaboration of hospitals, clinics and professionals, and employ nearly 22,000 people.
Top Hospitals in San Diego
UC San Diego Health System was recognized as the No. 1 hospital in San Diego by U.S. News & World Report. UCSD is comprised of several different hospitals and outpatient clinics. Included under its hospitals umbrella are UC San Diego Medical Center, Thornton Hospital, Moores Cancer Center, and Suiprizio Cardiovascular Center. UC San Diego Medical Center is the region’s only Level 1–accredited burn unit for both adults and children, and it recently cut emergency wait times by an average of 92 minutes, according to a recent study by the Academic Emergency Medicine Journal. The hospital did this by implementing a state-of-the-art software suite that reads the data contained in the cardiac devices implanted in incoming patients. This software also reduced wait times in the emergency room of Thornton Hospital. In addition, UCSD provides a free shuttle service between its UC Medical Center at Hillcrest and Thornton Hospital to its patients and their families. Healthgrades, a nationally respected hospital-ranking company, gave a five-star rating to UCSD in nine different specialties, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prostate surgery, total knee replacements, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Healthgrades also awarded UCSD its prestigious Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence and Women’s Health Excellence Award in 2014 based on its overall hospital ranking nationally. UC San Diego Medical Center–Hillcrest and the La Jolla location also received an “A” grade in patient safety by the Leapfrog Group, recognizing these locations as some of the safest hospitals in the United States. U.S. News also ranked it the fifth-best hospital in California. A complete list of prestigious awards over its 66-year history can be found here.
Scripps La Jolla Hospital was ranked the second-best hospital in San Diego and the seventh-best hospital in California by U.S. News. Recognized as a Magnet hospital, Scripps La Jolla Hospital was honored by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as one of the top hospitals for patient care in the United States. The ANCC is overseen by the American Nurses Association. Scripps Memorial has been caring for patients effectively and safely for more than 80 years and has been ranked nationally by U.S. News in cardiology, geriatrics and diabetes, among others. The hospital also acknowledges that because of the quality care provided, many people come for treatment from outside the San Diego area. Therefore, it has developed business relationships with area hotels to provide discounted hotel rates for patients’ families. Scripps La Jolla Hospital was also given the distinction of being one of the top 100 companies to work for by Working Mother magazine. This award is given to workplaces that provide outstanding leadership in policy and programming in support of working mothers by way of flexible working hours and peer support.
Part of the Sharp Healthcare family of medical centers, Sharp Grossmont Hospital is also a recipient of the prestigious Magnet designation from the ANCC for excellence in nursing. Sharp Healthcare is a not-for-profit organization and, since 1995, has conducted extensive community needs assessments and provided more than $330 million in community benefit programs in 2013 alone. These included community flu vaccinations, school visits, and financial support to community health organizations. Sharp Grossmont also received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for quality and organizational excellence.
So, if you find yourself pursuing a healthier you this coming year and are in the greater San Diego area, rest assured that San Diego’s healthcare system is as healthy as you are.
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