News & Updates

Supporting Suitable Services for District Residents

August 3, 2017 General

Sharp Grossmont Hospital, currently the only hospital located within the Grossmont Healthcare District’s (GHD) 750 square miles, is the largest provider of health care services in San Diego’s East County, and has one of the busiest emergency departments in the state.

Individual emergency department experiences can vary, but it is common to hear stories from patients about long waits in packed rooms. This crowding can cause severe delays not only for patients in emergency situations, it also leads to extra costs that impact the local health care system at the expense of our taxpayers.

Data from the county’s Health and Human Services Agency show that more than half of emergency department visits made in San Diego County between 2004 and 2014 have been for situations that may not have been emergencies; at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, data indicate that roughly a third of the visits are less acute situations that may be treated in other settings. While there are several explanations for this trend, a 2016 community health needs assessment conducted for Sharp Grossmont Hospital revealed one major reason is that residents don’t know where else to go, especially if underinsured or newly insured.

Since launching its Community Grants Program in 1996, GHD has awarded nearly $50 million in grants and sponsorships to eligible applicants. These public monies benefit community-based non-profit organizations, community clinics, and Sharp Grossmont Hospital as they all respond to our residents’ community health needs.

As part of our mission to support suitable services in East Region communities, GHD invests in health care services and education programs that increase access to care in non-emergency situations.

In evaluating proposals for health care grants and allocating funds, consideration is given to those organizations and in those categorical areas that meet the needs of the otherwise underserved. This includes support for eligible applicants operating community clinics or community outreach efforts to educate patients on proper emergency room use.

We are proud to support organizations that provide our residents with access to information and services that prevent health emergencies and reduce emergency department visits, so our community and hospital can both thrive.

Visit our Local Clinics and Health Centers page for a list of community clinics, urgent cares, and other health supportive services located within District boundaries that support our residents in accessing suitable and affordable care, regardless of income.