San Antonio Regional Hospital addresses healthcare crisis with residency program and urgent care

The City of Chino Council meeting on April 1, 2024, featured a significant presentation from Heather Raymond, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at San Antonio Regional Hospital. Raymond addressed the current healthcare challenges facing the region, emphasizing a crisis in hospital stability and access to care.

Raymond highlighted alarming statistics regarding California's healthcare system, noting a dramatic increase in hospital costs and a substantial underpayment issue, with hospitals facing a cumulative shortfall of approximately $522 billion. She pointed out that labor costs represent the largest portion of hospital expenses, compounded by the need for seismic compliance by 2030 and rising cybersecurity threats.

Access to healthcare remains a pressing concern, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, which has led to increased emergency room visits at San Antonio Regional Hospital. The hospital's emergency department, originally designed for 75,000 visits annually, accommodated around 95,000 last year and is projected to exceed 100,000 this year.

Raymond also discussed the critical shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly primary care physicians, with a projected need for 40,000 statewide but only 34,900 currently available. To address this, San Antonio Regional Hospital is launching its first residency program in July, aiming to retain new physicians in the Inland Empire.

Behavioral health services are another area of focus, with Raymond noting a decline in available resources for mental health care. The hospital plans to open behavioral health urgent care facilities to meet the growing demand for mental health services in the community.

In addition to these initiatives, San Antonio Regional Hospital is developing a new maternity wing and a Center of Aging to streamline care for seniors, allowing them to access multiple services in one location. This facility will also provide transportation for seniors who need assistance getting to appointments.

Overall, Raymond's presentation underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions to the healthcare challenges facing Chino and the broader Inland Empire, as San Antonio Regional Hospital seeks to enhance care access and quality for its community.