Los Angeles General Medical Center (LA General), formerly known as LAC+USC Medical Center, is a prominent public teaching hospital located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, LA General is affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of USC and serves as a critical healthcare provider for the region's diverse population.
Facility Overview
- Location: 2051 Marengo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
- Beds: Over 600
- Trauma Level: Level I Trauma Center
- Special Units: Burn Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Psychiatric and Pediatric Emergency Rooms
- Affiliations: Keck School of Medicine of USC, U.S. Navy
Financial Performance
For the reporting period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, LA General reported the following financial figures:
- Net Inpatient Revenue: Approximately $1.23 billion
- Net Outpatient Revenue: Approximately $672.78 million
The payer mix for inpatient services during this period was as follows:
- Medicare Fee-for-Service: 9.3%
- Medicare Managed Care: 5.9%
- Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service: 34.7%
- Medi-Cal Managed Care: 30.9%
- County Indigent Programs Fee-for-Service: 12.5%
- Other Third Parties Fee-for-Service: 5%
- Other Third Parties Managed Care: 1.2%
The average length of stay for inpatients was 5.9 days, which is below the statewide average of 6.4 days.
Quality and Safety Ratings
LA General has been recognized for its commitment to quality care:
- Leapfrog 'A' Grade: Achieved for safety and quality, reflecting improvements in mortality rates, reduced lengths of stay, and enhanced diagnostic efficiency.
- LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader: Recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index for providing inclusive and affirming care to all patients.
- Superior Performance in Opioid Care: Recognized for the second consecutive year in the 2024 Opioid Care Honor Roll by Cal Hospital Compare.
Challenges
Despite its achievements, LA General faces challenges, particularly in its psychiatric inpatient unit:
- High Restraint Rates: In 2022, the hospital's psychiatric inpatient unit had a restraint rate 48 times higher than the national average, ranking fourth-highest in the nation. This issue is attributed to a shortage of subacute mental health beds, leading to prolonged stays for patients awaiting appropriate placements.
Recent Developments
- Rebranding: In May 2023, the hospital rebranded from LAC+USC Medical Center to Los Angeles General Medical Center to better reflect its mission and strengthen community trust.
- Legislative Support: LA General has advocated for legislative measures like AB-531, which aims to fund the development of 10,000 new behavioral treatment beds and supportive housing units in California, addressing the shortage of mental health resources.
