Six hospitals in San Diego County have been recognized among the top facilities in California for their performance in substance use disorder treatment. The honor comes from Cal Hospital Compare, a nonprofit organization that evaluates medical centers across over 60 categories. This announcement marks a significant expansion of the group’s focus, as it broadens its assessment from solely opioid treatment to encompass all substance use disorders.
To qualify for the “highest level of performance” designation, hospitals must demonstrate consistent excellence in care for two consecutive years. This evaluation process relies on a self-assessment guide that participating hospitals must complete. Only those facilities that integrate critical substance use treatment practices into their daily operations are eligible for this recognition.
Key practices highlighted by Cal Hospital Compare include medication-assisted treatment, which utilizes medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone in conjunction with behavioral therapy. Additionally, hospitals must ensure comprehensive training for their medical staff, implement family outreach programs, provide follow-up care after patient discharge, and adopt “harm-reduction” strategies.
The hospitals in San Diego County that received this prestigious honor are: Scripps Hospitals in La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Encinitas, and San Diego; Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa; and Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside. These facilities are part of a larger cohort of 133 hospitals statewide that participated in the substance use disorder program.
Performance Criteria and Statewide Recognition
The program categorizes hospitals based on their performance, requiring a score in the 75th percentile or higher to qualify as “superior.” Achieving this status for two consecutive years places hospitals on the honor roll, but facilities that meet the criteria in just 2025 are also recognized.
In total, 17 facilities across California were acknowledged for their superior substance use treatment performance in 2025. This includes Palomar Health hospitals in Escondido and Poway, Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista, Sharp Coronado Hospital, and Sharp Memorial Hospital in Serra Mesa.
The recognition of these hospitals highlights ongoing efforts to improve substance use disorder treatment across the state, demonstrating a commitment to integrating effective practices into healthcare systems. As the opioid crisis and other substance-related issues continue to affect communities, such initiatives play a vital role in enhancing patient care and recovery outcomes.
