There is an acute shortage of pediatric medical care in Silicon Valley. San José is the largest city in the United States without its own children’s hospital.

Currently, pediatric patients from Santa Clara County have been hospitalized at more than 20 different hospitals. Only Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and Kaiser had concentrations of pediatric patients greater than 15 patients per day. At all of the remaining hospitals, the average census of pediatric patients ranged from one to six patients per day. Quality of service and outcomes are directly related to a higher concentration of patients.

In 2000, pediatric patients from Santa Clara County were hospitalized at more than 20 different hospitals. Only Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and Kaiser had concentrations of pediatric patients greater than 15 patients per day. At all of the remaining hospitals, the average census of pediatric patients ranged from one to six patients per day. Quality of service and outcomes are directly related to a higher concentration of patients.