Mission Hospital reveals long-term plan

Patients from all over the country and the world seek out surgeons and they go where the doctors tell them, Beck said. Part of the decision is family accommodations while the patient is hospitalized.

"Would you want to stay in downtown Los Angeles or in Laguna Beach?" Beck asked rhetorically.

Another upside to the Laguna campus is the surgeons will not get bumped from the operating room schedule by a trauma case, as can happen in Mission Viejo, said Lisa Weaver, hospital vice president of development.

"There are six ORs in Laguna, and only two or three are used daily," Beck said.

However, high-risk cardiac cases, for which doctors need to keep their skills sharp, and patients suffering a stroke will go to Mission Viejo where they can be treated without delay, which is essential, Beck said.

"Mission Viejo's stroke center has expertise and equipment that is only available in a couple of places in the United States," Beck said.

"Our hope is that the community doesn't have to worry about where to go — we'll do that," Beck said.

Crisis transportation between the two hospitals is provided by ambulances stationed at both campuses and one half-way between to replace one on call.

Neither campus will have a wellness center.

In response to a question by Katherine Doe, a frequent visitor to City Council meetings, Beck said programs based on stem cell research are not contemplated at the hospital.

Asked by South Laguna resident Richard Picheny if the hospital had thought about developing the area above the hospital, Beck said the issue had not been discussed in a single meeting.

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Priorities set

The plan the hospital came up with to deal with the five targets is not set in stone, Beck said. Technology, state requirements and community needs could change, with consequent changes to the hospital's strategy.

"Seven different strategies were considered, priced out and the pros and cons discussed and evaluated on the relationship to the Mission Viejo campus," Beck said.

Finally it came down to reducing the size of the Laguna Beach campus or retrofitting the two buildings and renovations.

Downsizing was estimated to be cheaper, but would not meet Mission's goals or satisfy community needs, Beck said.

All decisions for the hospital are based on what Beck called the three pillars: sacred encounters, perfect care and healthiest communities.

"Everything we do, everything we spend money on needs to be linked to these three things," Beck said.