In the Community
Sharp HealthCare Annual Community Benefit Plan and Report
Addressing the needs of our community.
Sharp’s dedication to the San Diego community grew stronger throughout 2021, as San Diegans continued to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day, Sharp team members went above and beyond to provide uninterrupted care, programs and services, including the administration of more than a half million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to community members throughout the county. We also continued to offer virtual education classes and support groups, as well as outreach, to stay connected with community members, ease loneliness, and address concerns during this unprecedented time. In addition, our team members participated in community-based COVID-19 taskforces to collaboratively address the health crisis.
In fiscal year 2021, Sharp HealthCare provided more than $500 million in community benefit programs and services. This amounts to more than 1 million dollars a day, and to one of every $9 of our net revenue being spent in direct support of the community. Highlights of Sharp's community benefit include:
Benefits for the broader community
More than $3.8 million supported the following efforts:
- Community COVID-19 vaccinations through Sharp’s systemwide COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program
- Community flu vaccination clinics and health screenings
- Education and support groups addressing chronic health conditions, health equity and various other health needs, including those identified in Sharp's 2019 Community Health Needs Assessments
- Participation in community events addressing the unique needs of San Diegans
- Collaboration with local schools to promote student interest and career pathways in health care
- Participation of Sharp leadership and staff in numerous community organizations, committees and coalitions to improve community health
- Financial support to nonprofit community health organizations
Benefits for vulnerable populations
More than $2.1 million helped serve the San Diego community through:
- Financial support for medications, transportation and other needs of patients who cannot afford to pay
- Safety and support programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities
- Programs and services to provide community and social support for individuals with health equity barriers
- Programs to facilitate access to care for individuals who lack adequate health care coverage, including education and enrollment assistance
- Contribution of time to San Diego Food Bank, Kitchens for Good, Mama's Kitchen and other community-based organizations through the Sharp Lends a Hand program
- Financial and in-kind support for community clinics to improve services
- Transportation for patients to and from medical appointments
Health research, education and training programs
More than $2.6 million helped provide:
- Supervision and support for students, interns and residents from a variety of academic disciplines and numerous local and national colleges and universities
- Provision of health-related programs, classes, professors and clinical experience at San Diego State University; University of California, San Diego; Point Loma Nazarene University; Southwestern College; and other academic institutions
- Education and training programs for medical, nursing, pharmacy and other community health care professionals
- Education and support for the health care and research communities around evidence-based practices for health care delivery, and effective and responsible research conduct
- Facilitation of interdisciplinary research studies to identify and promote quality patient care throughout the health care community
Medical care services
More than $492 million was contributed in the following ways:
- Uncompensated care for patients who lack financial resources to pay for health care services
- Unreimbursed costs of government programs such as Medi-Cal and Medicare
In addition, Sharp leads and participates in emergency and disaster planning to protect the health and safety of the San Diego community, and, through its All Ways Green initiative, has been an innovator in green practices to improve environmental and community health. Further, the Sharp Equality Alliance engages Sharp’s workforce in education and dialogue around diversity and equity, and participates in community events to promote understanding, inclusivity and acceptance.
Further, through participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, select Sharp hospitals are permitted to purchase outpatient drugs at reduced prices. The savings from this program are used to off set patient care costs for Sharp's most vulnerable patient populations, as well as to assist with patient access to medications through Sharp's Patient Assistance Program. In fiscal year 2021, participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program provided a cost savings of more than $93 million to help expand programs and medication access to Sharp's patients in need.
Sharp hospitals use the findings from their triennial Community Health Needs Assessment to help guide the Sharp HealthCare Community Benefit Plan and Report, as well as individual Sharp hospital implementation strategies.
Learn more.
The Community Benefit Plan and Report is a testament to the care that Sharp provides to the San Diego community - care that extends above and beyond the walls of our hospitals and health care facilities.
To learn more about the positive impact Sharp physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers have on the San Diego community, read the complete Sharp HealthCare Community Benefit Plan and Report, Fiscal Year 2021 (PDF) or the Executive Summary (PDF).
