Rady Children's Hospital and UC San Diego Health Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research (UCSDH EDC) have joined forces to open the only medical behavioral inpatient unit in San Diego, CA. The primary purpose of this program is to provide medical stabilization for children, adolescents, and young adults with physical complications from their eating disorder. The MBU has a multidisciplinary treatment team of eating disorder experts including physicians who specialize in malnutrition medicine, psychologists, therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists, and nurses. The team is dedicated to providing thorough care, addressing the unique needs of individuals with eating disorders, and assisting families in planning follow up care upon discharge.
Patients must meet certain medical criteria for admission to the MBU. Common admission criteria includes abnormal cardiovascular function, electrolyte changes, dangerously low weight, and/or nasogastric tube (NG tube) dependence. While patients are receiving life-saving medical care, MBU provides psychological support by utilizing Family-Based Therapy (FBT) modified for the inpatient medical setting. This provides a natural transition to the FBT-based programming at our PHP after medical stabilization and discharge from the hospital.
MBU Program includes:
- Medical Monitoring/Intervention During Nutritional Rehabilitation
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- Continuous cardiac monitoring
- Laboratory monitoring of electrolytes and refeeding syndrome
- Placement and removal of NG/NJ tubes when medically and/or clinically indicated
- Coordination with subspecialties as indicated by the physician
- Psychological Treatment
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- Initial assessment and diagnosis
- Psychoeducation about feeding/eating disorders
- Daily Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) groups
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy as indicated
- Behavioral therapy
- Nutritional Rehabilitation
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- Dietary assessment completed by a registered dietitian
- Nutrition education
- Parent/guardian meal plan training for pediatric and adolescent patients
- Adult meal-planning practice and skill building
- Supervised Meals and Snacks
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- Highly structured support
- Staff supported group meals
- Sensory-informed approaches for neurodivergent individuals
- Behavioral monitoring to ensure safety and prevent compensatory behaviors
- Parent training opportunities
- Psychiatry Services
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- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
- Medication consultation and evidence-based psychopharmacology
- Medication adjustment throughout medical admission
- Discharge Planning and Support
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- Individualized step down planning
- Caregiver support to prepare for transition home
- Behavioral contracting and safety plans
Contact Us
Medical Behavioral Unit
Acute Care Pavilion, 4th Floor
3010 Children’s Way
San Diego, CA 92123
If you are concerned for the immediate medical safety of your child or adolescent, please go to your nearest Emergency Room.
For Families
Please note: a referral is needed by your doctor for admission. For families seeking information about eating disorders treatment programs or general inquiries, please contact us below or call the MBU Main line:
858-576-1700, ext. 225368.
For Providers
Physicians seeking information about medical admissions: fill out the referral form or please call 858-576-1700 and ask to page the Eating Disorder physician on call for the Medical Behavioral Unit.
For immediate medical admissions, please call 858-576-1700 and ask for the Eating Disorder physician on call.