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SAN DIEGO — Jan. 6, 2021 — Kaiser Permanente San Diego began delivering second doses of COVID-19 vaccinations this week for the first health care workers who met "Phase 1a" criteria for vaccination at their two hospital locations; the San Diego and Zion Medical Centers.

"This is a big milestone. We're encouraged by this protection for our workforce and await the arrival of additional vaccine that can be distributed per the CDC guidelines," said Dr. Michael Lalich, Kaiser Permanente San Diego's Area Medical Director. "We are committed to educating our communities about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. We want everyone to understand how getting a vaccine, along with the simple public measures already in place – wearing masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing – will help to bring an end to this pandemic."

The hospitals are following the CDC distribution guidelines. The first group vaccinated, who are critical to maintaining health care capacity, were emergency medical service personnel working in our long-term acute care facilities, intensive care units, emergency departments, labor & delivery, and COVID units.

“This vaccine makes me feel hopeful that we’ll get everything turned around," said Sandra Ramirez, an emergency room nurse, after receiving her second dose. “In 20 years of nursing, I’ve never seen anything like this,” she noted when reflecting upon the number of people impacted by COVID-19.

Getting vaccinated can prevent individuals from contracting the virus. As important, it can also protect those around them from getting infected. Kaiser Permanente has decades of experience delivering vaccinations safely and efficiently and looks forward to getting a vaccine to all community members as supply allocations increase. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit  https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine.

“I believe in the science and research of the vaccines, I did my own reading, and I trust the work done by the FDA,” remarked Ramirez. “Everyone is different, but pain-wise, the shots themselves were no big deal to me.”

Kaiser Permanente is committed to a safe, expedient, and equitable vaccination administration process. As the vaccine becomes more and more readily available, Kaiser Permanente will be working closely in partnership with public health officials to offer it to those who meet the criteria in each phase of the CDC guidelines.

SAN DIEGO — Dec. 16, 2020 — Kaiser Permanente San Diego began vaccination of frontline workers today at the Zion Medical Center, with Indalecia Ramos and Diego Varras of Environmental Services, and Merope Duffin, an Emergency Department nurse, receiving one of the first doses.

“This vaccine means a lot. I know it may seem scary, but it’s for the benefit of everyone.” said Duffin, “It’s been a very long and challenging year in the ER, and this vaccine means seeing an end to the pandemic.

The hospital is following the CDC distribution guidelines. The first group receiving the vaccine are emergency medical service personnel working in our long-term acute care facilities, intensive care units, emergency departments, labor & delivery, and COVID units. This group of care providers includes Physicians, Nurses, Phlebotomists, Respiratory Therapists, Environmental services staff, and ancillary staff required in these care environments.

“We thank the many Kaiser Permanente nurses, doctors, and other health care workers who’ve been on the frontline every day this year caring for very sick patients impacted by this pandemic. I’m glad today we’ve reached a point where we can begin vaccinating these brave health care workers in the face of this latest surge of COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Michael Lalich, Kaiser Permanente San Diego’s Area Medical Director.

As the production and distribution of vaccines become more available, Kaiser Permanente San Diego will be working closely in partnership with public health officials to prioritize vaccinations and expects to offer the vaccine to those who meet the criteria in each phase of the CDC guidelines.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to educating our members, workforce, customers, and communities about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. As well as promoting understanding of how a vaccine – coupled with continued public health measures like the wearing of masks, appropriate physical distancing, and frequent hand washing – can help control and ultimately bring about the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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SAN DIEGO — Dec. 14, 2020 — Both Kaiser Permanente San Diego hospitals have received the prestigious “A” top grade for excellence in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, which today released ratings as part of its fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report.
This report is a biannual scorecard of more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals. Nationwide less than one-third of hospitals received an A rating.
“This recognition speaks volumes to the great work our physicians, staff, and teams do year-round to incorporate safety into their planning and daily routines. Even more so during this time of pandemic operations,” noted Jane Finley, senior vice president and area manager.
Kaiser Permanente San Diego’s Area Medical Director echoed similar sentiments.
“We take great pride in promoting a team-based culture focused on safety, quality, effectiveness, and positive patient experiences,” said Dr. Michael Lalich, “we’re honored to have earned such great scores.”
Overall, 10 Kaiser Permanente hospitals received Leapfrog’s “A” rating in Southern California. They are: Anaheim, Downey, Fontana, Irvine, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Riverside, San Diego, San Diego Zion and South Bay.
Developed under Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel guidance, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 national performance measures to produce a single letter grade representing a hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade methodology has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Patient Safety.