Chinese Hospital was the recipient of a $5 million state budget appropriation to improve access to subacute care services in San Francisco Bay Area. The funding was included in the state budget for the first time and was supported by State Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). It will help Chinese Hospital to build a hospital-based subacute care unit in its facility, to address the overwhelming need in the larger community.
Subacute care provides a high level of care on an inpatient basis for patients post acute illness, injury or disease or complex health problems, and consists of a range of special services and supports, such as post-surgical care, rehabilitation, intravenous antibiotic therapy, wound care, pain management, pulmonary and breathing care, and cardiac care. The goal of subacute care is to improve functional status and overall quality of life in patients. Hospital-based subacute units have a team of round-the–clock doctors, nurses, as well as other healthcare experts with specialized training to handle all emergencies.
Access to subacute care, is a national and regional as well as a state challenge. In San Francisco, we are facing a severe shortage of subacute care beds, with no hospital-based subacute units available to the public. However, the demand for subacute care services is escalating throughout the city and state.
Leadership at Chinese Hospital has been working tirelessly to improve the community’s access to quality subacute care services. To meet the growing needs, Chinese Hospital will create a new subacute care unit in its facility. This $5 million funding will provide seed money to get the project underway, which includes construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing, and equipping.
“We want to express our appreciation to State Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), who requested and secured funding for our new subacute care unit project,” said Dr. Jian Zhang, Chinese Hospital CEO. “We recognize and embrace Chinese Hospital’s important role in safeguarding the community, particularly in times of public health crisis. As such, Chinese Hospital decided to take an important step to create a hospital-based subacute unit to help alleviate the burden on the local healthcare system in collaboration with San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and UCSF, and provide quality care to San Franciscans despite the challenges.”
“We must add more beds for San Franciscans who need subacute and skilled nursing care. It’s not fair to force their families and friends to travel long distances to visit their loved ones. The state investment I secured for Chinese Hospital expands local treatment options and takes a step toward bringing health equity to this community,” said Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).
As an essential part of San Francisco’s health care system, Chinese Hospital will work closely with the city and state leaders to address the gap, so that patients who need subacute care won’t be discharged out of the county.
“We are grateful for State Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting’s support,” said Mr. Harvey Louie, Chinese Hospital Board of Trustees Acting Chairman. “This funding will have long-lasting and meaningful impacts across San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, and Chinese Hospital will continue its legacy of safeguarding and enhancing the health of our communities.”
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Jenni Lau
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