UC San Diego Health System Accreditations & Credentials
Hospital Accreditation
UC San Diego Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits nearly 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. To earn and maintain accreditation, an organization must undergo an on-site survey by a Joint Commission survey team at least every three years. More information can be obtained by logging onto http://www.jointcommission.org/
Moores Cancer Center
UCSD Moores Cancer Center is one of just 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. Such centers are prominent among the leading institutions in the nation dedicated to scientific innovation and clinical excellence. Moores Cancer Center is the only Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Diego and Imperial counties to have earned this honor. Learn more about the UCSD Moores Cancer Center.
Stroke Center
The UCSD Stroke Center was the first stroke center in San Diego to receive certification as a “Primary Stroke Center” by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (now called The Joint Commission). The certification “recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Achievement of certification signifies that the services you provide have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. It is the best signal to your community that the quality care you provide is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients.” Learn more about the UCSD Stroke Center.
Blood & Marrow Transplant Program
The UCSD/Sharp BMT Program is:
Learn more about the UCSD/Sharp BMT Program.
Epilepsy Center
The UCSD Epilepsy Center at Thornton Hospital is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a level-4 epilepsy center, indicating the most comprehensive level of care for patients with seizures. It is the only San Diego program to receive this distinction. Learn more about the UCSD Epilepsy Center.
NICU
The UCSD Infant Special Care Center is a Regional, Level III NICU. For the purpose of the California Children's Services (CCS) program, a Regional NICU is defined as a nursery within a CCS-approved Tertiary Hospital that has the capability of providing a full range of neonatal care services, including neonatal surgery, for severely ill neonates and infants. Regional NICUs provide support to community and intermediate NICUs, including professional education and consultation.
By definition, a Level III neonatal unit provides the full range of services for high-risk neonatal care. Level III hospitals have equipment and staff to handle very complicated births. This type of hospital can care for babies who are premature (babies delivered before 32 weeks and at very low birth weights of less than 3 pounds 5 ounces) or who have serious illnesses or abnormalities requiring intensive care before, during, or after delivery. Level III hospitals also provide care for uncomplicated births. Learn more about the Infant Special Care Center.
Trauma Center
Trauma centers vary in their specific capabilities and are identified by "Level" designation: Level-I being the highest. A Level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. It has a full range of specialists and equipment available 24 hours a day and admits a minimum required annual volume of severely injured patients. A Level I trauma center is required to have a certain number of surgeons and anesthesiologists on duty 24 hours a day at the hospital, an education program, preventive and outreach programs. Key elements include 24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons and prompt availability of care in varying specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery (plastic surgeons often take calls for hand and facial injuries fixing both the bone and soft tissue of these specialized regions), anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and critical care, which are needed to adequately respond and care for various forms of trauma that a patient may suffer. Additionally, a Level I center has a program of research, is a leader in trauma education and injury prevention, and is a referral resource for communities in nearby regions.
Designation of UCSD Medical Center as San Diego County’s first Level 1 Trauma Center is acknowledgement of the Center’s continuing commitment to the best possible trauma care provided by expert personnel. Learn more about the UCSD Trauma Center.
Cytogenics & Molecular Genetics Laboratories
The cytogenics & molecular genetics laboratories at UCSD Medical Center is licensed by the State of California Department of Health as a clinical testing site (license number 210270) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (23187-07).
Nurse Midwifery
All UC San Diego nurse midwives are accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), have passed a national certification exam and have met strict requirements set by state health agencies. Learn more about UCSD's nurse midwife program.
Quality Office
UCSD Medical Center
200 West Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 543-6475