Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

We have implemented new visitation guidelines for our hospitals to protect those who are most vulnerable to the coronavirus disease. Until further notice the following restrictions are in effect: Non-COVID ICU patients at Sharp hospitals may receive one visitor daily between noon and 6 pm (length of visit will be determined by the nursing unit). When the patient is transferred out of the ICU, a one-time transitional visit will be allowed (length and time to be determined b...y the nursing unit). No other visitors are allowed to visit a patient at any Sharp hospital or skilled nursing, subacute or transitional care facility, except in an end-of-life situation or if the patient is a minor. Only one adult (18 and older) support person is allowed for maternity patients at Sharp hospitals. No children are allowed inside the lobbies of Sharp hospital Emergency Departments. Anyone visiting under these restrictions must be free of any symptoms of respiratory illness. All visitors will be screened for health and travel history prior to seeing a patient. We appreciate your understanding and help in keeping our community safe. If you have questions about how Sharp is addressing the novel coronavirus, call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm, or visit www.sharp.com/coronavirus

Sharp HealthCare's mission is to improve the health of those we serve with a commitment to excellence in all we do. This statement holds true today, and every day, as our health care heroes continue to fight this pandemic going into 2021. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy and healthy New Year.

France and Roberta Doiron's love story began 72 years ago. France was deeply devoted to his wife, and remained so when she was diagnosed with dementia and moved to Sharp Chula Vista's Birch Patrick Skilled Nursing Facility. Learn how they found new ways to connect when COVID-19 restrictions kept them apart.

Sharp HealthCare continues to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to hundreds of employees and physicians a day, from caregivers working on the front-line to those behind the scenes of the fight. Those who received the shot this week say it’s a quick, painless process and no different from other routine vaccinations like the flu shot. These shots of hope kicked off what will become the largest vaccination effort in U.S. history, one that could finally conquer the outbreak. To learn more about the coronavirus vaccine, visit sharp.com/coronavirus.

The need for personal protective equipment and supplies dominated headlines early in the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about the team who fills the hands of our health care heroes.

Sharp Chula Vista would like to wish you a happy holiday! We hope you take this time to rest, reflect and safely connect with your loved ones.

Respiratory therapists have been at the epicenter of battling COVID-19 and are usually the first line of defense when a patient is struggling to breathe. They are the bedside heroes who tend to critically ill patients on ventilators. Join us in recognizing respiratory therapists this Respiratory Care Week!

A team of talented Sharp singers and musicians graced the halls of Sharp Chula Vista safely spreading the holiday cheer to our patients and staff. Although the holidays may look differently this year, it’s easy for that festive cheer to become contagious.

It’s been a difficult year for many, but change emerged earlier in the year for Gloria Estrada after one mammography screening changed her life. Read more about how the Barnhart Cancer Center's care team stepped in as Gloria’s support during these challenging times.

Happy Infection Prevention (IP) Week! Infection preventionists have been at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and are raising the profile of a profession that is forever changed. Learn more about the impact Sharp Chula Vista’s IPs have made during these unprecedented times to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Early breast cancer detection through mammogram screenings have greatly improved the likelihood of beating breast cancer. #SharpGoesPink in honor of National Mammography Day. Make your appointment today!

Happy #EmergencyNursesWeek to our extraordinary team whose selfless efforts don’t go unnoticed. In these turbulent times of COVID-19, our teams have continued to provide crucial and compassionate care for the South Bay and have risen in the face of adversity. Join us in humbly celebrating emergency nurses everywhere for their sacrifice and strength. You can now save time and reserve your spot at Sharp Chula Vista’s Emergency Room if you are not experiencing a life-threatening condition. Visit sharp.com/chulavistaER to save a spot before your next visit.

Only 1 in 4 adults have their blood pressure under control. Blood pressure that’s not well-managed can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack and stroke. Dr. Steven Rough, cardiologist at Sharp Chula Vista, discusses the possible link between blood pressure regulation and COVID-19. Early studies have shown that people with underlying medical conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, obesity, cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart muscle disease, diabetes and sickle cell disease are at increased risk of severe illness. If you or someone you love is at increased risk, learn what you need to know to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic in an upcoming webinar that will be held on Oct. 22 in Spanish and Oct. 28 in English. Click here, http://spr.ly/6181G0NyD, to register.

Clinical nurse at Sharp Chula Vista, Josefina Jo Sales, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Throughout her journey to recovery, she says her medical background has been a double-edged sword as she found herself on the other side of patient care. Explore different options of your care and trust your intuition, says Jo. Speak to your heart and never be afraid to ask questions about your treatment. It’s important to keep the faith. You can either let a bad situation define you, destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you. Choose strength. #SharpGoesPink

We’re excited to announce we now offer the option to make a reservation for your ER visit at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. Save time waiting by going to https://www.sharp.com//sharp-chula-vist/emergency-room-595 and choosing the next available reservation time. If no reservations are available, please go directly to the ER.

Do you know when you should get your flu shot? Dr. Hai Shao, infectious disease specialist, spoke to NBC 7 San Diego's Consumer Bob about when you should get the vaccine as we enter the flu season in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on flu care, visit sharp.com/services/flu/.

For many patients, cancer is frightening enough, but going through it during a global pandemic brings an extra set of worries. That was Gloria Estrada’s experience when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although her family couldn’t accompany her at appointments, our Barnhart Cancer Center team stepped in to support and care for her every step of the way keeping her safe and celebrating with her as she rang the graduation bell. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gloria shared her story with NBC 7 San Diego's Joe Little.

Since we cannot offer hospital tours at this time, we have created a virtual tour of what to expect when you arrive at Sharp Chula Vista to have your baby. We hope the virtual experience helps ease anxieties and answers questions you may have about your safe delivery at Sharp Chula Vista. For more information, visit http://spr.ly/6187G0N11. We’re now offering virtual childbirth education classes so that you can attend a course from the comfort of your home. Click here, http://spr.ly/6188G0N1G, to sign up for a breastfeeding, baby care basics, or childbirth preparation class.

Happy Food and Nutritional Services Week to our hardworking teams who are often behind the scenes keeping patients and staff well-nourished. Proper nutrition is a vital element for fighting off illness and recovering from injury. The kitchen is one of the most highly regulated infection control areas within our hospital. Without their hard work, skills and dedication, our patients would not have the proper nutrition to help them on the road to recovery.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Deanna White, director of acute care at Sharp Chula Vista, shares her personal experience. I was 37 and a single mom when I felt a lump. Luckily, I was with a good friend when I got the results of my mammogram: It was cancer. I got the full treatment of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and reconstruction. The road was not easy; my kids were young and worried, but always supportive when I told them we needed to leave a party early be...cause I was tired. I was given a 50% chance of surviving. It’s been nine years. I’ve been lucky to have wise physicians in Dr. Marilyn Norton, Dr. Andrew Hampshire, Dr. Omid Bakhtar, Dr. Gilbert Lee and Dr. Phillip Zentner. Dr. Bakhtar gave me great advice that once I was cured, I needed to put it behind me. That gave me hope, but also warned me this would not only be a physical battle, but a mental one. Sometimes aches and pains remind me and trigger the thought of recurrence. What I would tell other women is it’s so easy to go into denial and procrastinate. If something doesn’t seem right, keep following up on it. Be active in your care and advocate for yourself. Find a good friend or partner to help you through it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; people want to help and you don’t even realize how many. #SharpGoesPink

In January 2020, Sharp Chula Vista's Ocean View Tower opened, culminating more than a decade of planning and fundraising to make the South Bay’s first new hospital in more than 40 years a reality. Nearly two months later, Sharp Chula Vista had its first positive COVID-19 case, requiring a major pivot from one dramatically transformed operating environment to another. None of this would have been possible without the steady, focused leadership of Chief Executive Officer Pablo ...Velez who has worked tirelessly and made many difficult decisions in order to support his team, ensure everyone's safety, and maintain hospital operations. Pablo Velez was awarded with the Corporate Citizen Award by the South County EDC for the continual commitment of Sharp Chula Vista to the South County and Bi-National communities. He dedicated this award to Sharp's physicians and health care heroes for their bravery and compassion day in and day out during these unprecedented times. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Velez!