UCSF Medical Center Files Prospectus Highlighting Clinical Excellence, Digital Innovation, and Patient-Centric Care
University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF Medical Center), established in 1864, is affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and serves as the only campus within the University of California system dedicated exclusively to health and life sciences. UCSF Medical Center operates across three campuses located in Parnassus Heights, Mount Zion, and Mission Bay, with the Mission Bay campus having opened and commenced operations in February 2015.
In 2015, UCSF Medical Center ranked seventh in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll, with its specialty programs in diabetes and endocrinology, neurology and neurosurgery, cancer, urology, nephrology, gynecology, geriatrics, and rheumatology all ranking among the top ten nationwide.
In February 2015, Chuck Feeney, founder of DFS Global Duty-Free and hailed as “the most pure philanthropist,” donated $1 million to UCSF Medical Center, marking the largest individual donation ever received by the University of California system. Furthermore, in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) survey conducted among institutions across the United States, UCSF Medical Center was the only institution nationwide to achieve a perfect score for seven consecutive years.
Figure: Latest statistical data on the number, website, address, ZIP code, type, bed count, outpatient volume, and staff size of UCSF Health (Source: http://www.ahadataviewer.com, American Hospital Association website)
With so many highlights, let us examine what sets it apart.
Patient Portal
Figure: Official website of UCSF Medical Center
To facilitate medical care for patients, including those from overseas, UCSF Medical Center has thoughtfully provided a comprehensive range of information on its patient portal. This includes details on scheduling physician appointments, patient services, support groups, accommodation and dining options, payment methods, health insurance, and transportation guides.
Figure: Online Appointment Booking. This includes specific operational guidelines for special circumstances, such as emergency care, pediatric patients, overseas patients, and referrals. Patients can browse profiles and photos of all physicians and select one based on their individual needs.
For international patients, seeking care at UCSF Medical Center requires the following steps:
Submit Electronic Medical Records in English
A thorough review of electronic medical records by UCSF Medical Center professionals to assess patient suitability for care at this facility
Advance Payment of Medical Expenses
Arrange Medical Consultations and Hospital Admissions
All these steps can be completed online through the detailed instructions on the official website of UCSF Medical Center, greatly facilitating patients' access to medical care. It also takes into full consideration the special needs of specific patient groups, embodying the principle of "patient-first" in every aspect.
MyChart
MyChart is an online tool used by UCSF Medical Center for accessing medical information. It is secure, user-friendly, and free of charge.
With MyChart, you can:
Send a message to your physician
Medication Administration
Review Laboratory Results to Understand Disease Progression
View Electronic Health Information
Apply for Appointment or Referral
View Medical Records of Children (Aged 11 and Under)
View Partial Medical Data of Children (Adolescents Aged 12 to 17)
Search Historical Consultation Records
View New Appointments
Furthermore, each of the three campuses of UCSF Medical Center provides its own highly detailed Pre-Admission Guide. The content is clear, specific, and highly targeted. This information is available on their official website.
Figure: Transportation section of the Mission Bay Pre-Admission Guide, where patients can follow detailed instructions to arrive smoothly via appropriate means.
EMR&EHR
In 2005, UCSF Medical Center began attempting to implement an electronic health record (EHR) system, but unfortunately halted the effort due to the lack of dynamic original components.
2010 was a transformative year for the broader U.S. healthcare landscape. In that year, UCSF discontinued its customized version of the General Electric electronic health record (EHR) system, which only stored inpatient information. It began adopting a new system—Epic. Statistics show that more than 100 healthcare institutions have partnered with Epic, enabling healthcare providers to access patient data stored across the systems of these over 100 affiliated institutions.
In April 2011, UCSF launched a new electronic health record (EHR) system. The aim was to establish a new system that enables patients to experience seamless medical care, while helping physicians communicate more effectively with patients and provide safer, higher-quality, and more efficient services.
The new system establishes a single database,Record all medical information generated from the patient's visits to any healthcare institution,This encompasses all data generated throughout the entire patient care journey. Healthcare providers can communicate with patients via MyChart, as previously mentioned. Furthermore, the new system enables UCSF to exchange patient information with other institutions, such as its affiliated children’s hospital and cancer research center.
In addition to providing medical services, UCSF Medical Center, as an affiliate of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), also assumes responsibilities for teaching and training. In light of this unique characteristic, the electronic health record (EHR) system can also serve as a teaching tool.
The implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems has facilitated communication between UCSF Medical Center and other healthcare institutions and providers. With this system, physicians can deliver diagnoses more quickly and accurately, thereby reducing the risk of medical errors and lowering healthcare costs. Previously, physicians could only formulate response plans after patients exhibited symptoms, which prevented timely intervention. Now, however, healthcare professionals can proactively adjust treatment regimens before symptoms manifest, achieving optimal and highly efficient therapeutic outcomes.
Electronic Data System
·ApeX
ApeX is the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system at UCSF. By creating electronic charts accessible across the entire medical center for each patient, this health record system aims to emphasize patient safety and prevent medical errors, while also enhancing the continuity of care. ApeX stores all patient information in a single electronic database, offering the following benefits:
Avoid Duplicate Testing
Warning: Potential Allergic Reactions
Establish an Information-Sharing Mechanism
·STOR/CDS
STOR/CDS is an electronic medical record summary system created by UCSF Medical Center specifically to facilitate access for non-inpatients. Prior to July 1, 2005, STOR was the sole source for obtaining medical information; after 2009, it was largely replaced by Ucare.
·Ucare
Ucare is the electronic medical record (EMR) system used by Moffitt-Long Hospital, Parnassus Ambulatory Clinics, Lakeshore, and Mount Zion. Since July 1, 2005, all laboratory results, radiology reports, and other clinical data have been stored in the Ucare system.
(Note: Most of the data from STOR and Ucare has been integrated into the ApeX system.)
·OnCore
OnCore is the clinical research information system used by UCSF Medical Center, and it is accessible to all UCSF members.
High-Tech Equipment
· CyberKnife
CyberKnife, also known as the “Stereotactic Radiosurgery Platform,” “Network Knife,” or “Computer Knife,” is the world’s most advanced whole-body stereotactic radiosurgery system. It can treat tumors in any part of the body, eradicating tumor tissue with just 3 to 5 treatment sessions. CyberKnife is the only form of whole-body radiosurgery that combines multiple advantages, including being non-invasive, painless, bloodless, anesthesia-free, and requiring a short recovery period. In Northern California, there are only a few such devices; one was located at the UCSF Parnassus Cancer Center (later relocated to the Mount Zion Outpatient Cancer Center).
· Tug Robot
The Mission Bay campus of UCSF Medical Center spans an area equivalent to approximately three football fields, illustrating the immense manual labor required for internal logistics. It is widely acknowledged that hospital workers suffer from high injury rates due to the frequent long-distance transport of heavy items, such as hundreds of pounds of soiled linens. To address the issue of work-related injuries caused by excessive workload, Mission Bay has deployed Tug robots to transport blood samples, food, medications, waste, and other materials. This initiative has significantly reduced worker injury rates and alleviated labor burdens. Furthermore, freed from the pressures of material transport, medical staff can devote their full attention to patient care.
Although Mission Bay is neither the first hospital to adopt modern technology nor the first to implement robotics, its move represents a significant step forward in the technological revolution within healthcare. This is particularly notable given its prime location in the heart of San Francisco, surrounded by numerous startups and large enterprises, many of which are dedicated to transforming the landscapes of both the IT and healthcare industries.
Figure: A Tug robot hauling trash
Figure: A Tug robot is delivering medication. These robots are equipped with anti-theft devices to prevent drug theft during unmanned transport.
Looking back, UCSF Medical Center has excelled in the three challenging missions of clinical care, research, and teaching, emerging as a formidable force among major medical institutions in the United States. The editors attribute its success primarily to the following three factors:
First, prioritize scientific research and continuously strive for excellence in the professional field.UCSF Medical Center possesses robust research and clinical capabilities, encompassing both personnel and hardware infrastructure.
Second, prioritize the application of high-tech achievements in the medical field.UCSF Medical Center demonstrates forward-thinking technological awareness, particularly in applications that enhance the effectiveness of medical services, improve patient experience, and increase operational efficiency. Coupled with San Francisco’s unique geographic advantage—its proximity to Silicon Valley, the world-renowned high-tech industrial hub—and its status as the largest financial center in the western United States and one of the most important global bases for high-tech research, development, and manufacturing, UCSF Medical Center enjoys greater access to cutting-edge technological advancements.
Third, prioritize service and put patients first.To stand out among numerous equally excellent competitors, enhancing service is an aspect that absolutely cannot be overlooked. This principle applies to any industry and institution.