UC San Diego Health plots major urgent, primary care expansion
Comprehensive new primary, urgent care clinic set to open and at least 10 more are planned and could include specialty care as well.
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UC San Diego Health has unveiled a major expansion road map for its primary and urgent care footprint. The system is set to open a new 57,000 square foot comprehensive health center on Monday in the Rancho Bernardo community and announced plans to open 10 more express and primary care sites over the next four years.
The 808-bed academic health system includes UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest and Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion and Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, all in La Jolla.
THE IMPACT
Access to care can be a major issue in both rural and urban areas. Whether it's distance to a provider or access to transportation, many people struggle to make appointments simply because they lack the means to get there. Increasing the number of facilities providing care in a given region or neighborhood increases the chances that more people will seek care, especially basic primary which is the bedrock of better health and outcomes. Having a primary care physician closer to home also increases the chances of being able to follow-up after a major episode, or being more engaged in managing a chronic illness.
THE TREND
UC San Diego Health – Rancho Bernardo will offer primary care, women's health, occupational medicine, and behavioral health as well as urgent care, blood draws, imaging, and pharmacy.
Bigger plans are in store for next year, as the new center will begin offering specialty services as well. Those new specialties will include cardiac, orthopedic, neurologic, gastroenterological, dermatologic, and ear, nose and throat services. Whether patients see providers in Rancho Bernardo any other clinic or hospital, all care will be coordinated through one medical record.
The system said it plans to open more than 10 additional express care and primary care facilities over the next four years.
ON THE RECORD
"Good health begins with good locally-based primary care. Our goal is to bring new primary care options to multiple neighborhood locations across San Diego," said Patty Maysent, CEO of UC San Diego Health. "The plan is to offer same-day services through an array of easy-to-access clinics, including urgent and express care, so that patients do not have to travel more than 15 minutes in any direction for care."
Twitter: @BethJSanborn
Email the writer: beth.sanborn@himssmedia.com
