East Campus Medical Center at UC San Diego Health has undergone significant expansion since becoming the health system’s third hospital two years ago. The average daily census at the hospital has doubled since 2024, and in the last two years, more than 4,000 patients have transferred to East Campus Medical Center primarily from the health system’s other two hospitals, Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest Medical Center. According to the health system, nearly 30% of current patients live in east San Diego County and have traditionally traveled to Hillcrest for acute care.
Expanded services now include cardiology and advanced heart failure, gastroenterology, orthopedics, urology, psychiatry and more, with state-of-the-art technology upgrades in surgery, diagnostic imaging and critical care. Since February 2025, East Campus Medical Center has seen a 37% increase in procedures performed at the facility. The urology team completed its 100th aquablation procedure in 2025, an advanced minimally invasive treatment for enlarged prostate performed with robotic technology and water jet technology. Currently, East Campus Medical Center is the only hospital in the health system that offers aquablation. The hospital now operates five surgical suites, up from the two available prior to the acquisition.
The hospital serves as a 24/7 Stroke and STEMI receiving center designated by the County of San Diego, and an advanced heart failure unit opened in 2025. In December 2025, the hospital received a $10 million lead grant from Price Philanthropies to support development and construction of the UC San Diego Health East Campus Behavioral Health Hub set to open in 2028, which will include two inpatient psychiatric units totaling 50 beds and a full spectrum of outpatient services. The University of California Board of Regents approved a $322 million project in 2026 for comprehensive renewal of the facility’s infrastructure and seismic compliance. In 2025, East Campus Medical Center received an ‘A’ grade in safety ratings from Leapfrog Group and was ranked in the top third of community hospitals by Vizient.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newswise.com/articles/transforming-high-quality-care-at-east-campus-medical-center/?sc=rsla