Background Information About SCMC

SCMC is a not-for-profit 208-bed general acute care hospital that serves the cities of Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Aliso Viejo.

The hospital provides patient care services ranging from critical care, same-day surgery, bariatraic surgery, sub-acute care and 24-hour emergency services to chemical dependency, psychiatric service, eating disorder treatment, radiation oncology and extensive rehabilitation services.

As the first hospital in Orange County to become a Planetree hospital, South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, California, began a journey in September 2004 to introduce and expand patient-friendly services. Planetree is a national non-profit alliance of more than 90 hospitals where patient-centered models of care help to personalize, humanize and demystify the patient’s experience.

“We believe these patient-centered programs are the things that will differentiate us from surrounding hospitals and contribute to a successful healthcare system in our community, now and well into the future,” says Bruce Christian, President & CEO of South Coast Medical Center.

Since receiving Planetree designation, SCMC has begun to offer music therapy, art therapy, pet therapy and other support for patients and families. A piano was donated for the main lobby and musicians stroll through the hospital, singing or playing peaceful, soothing music. A trained, certified pet therapist visits patients once a week. Professional facilitators lead support groups such as bereavement, eating disorders, cancer support and Parkinson’s support. The newest group is a weekly Mediation Through Music class for patients and visitors. The new programs add to the healing environment of the hospital. The newest Planetree program is Art Walk at South Coast, a display of original artwork by local artists to provide a calming, uplifting environment for patients, visitors and employees, as they walk through the main corridors.

In February 1998, South Coast Medical Center joined Adventist Health, a not-for-profit, faith-based health system operating in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Founded on the Seventh-day Adventist heritage of Christian health care, Adventist Health is comprised of 19 hospitals with more than 2,800 beds, 18,000 employees, numerous clinics and outpatient facilities, 16 home care agencies and three joint-venture retirement centers.

South Coast Medical Center accepts most health plans, including traditional fee-for-service as well as most managed care plans Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO).