Survey shows hospitals hit hard by poor economy
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
November 26, 2008
The slumping economy has hit hospitals, which show a decline in admission and elective procedures, plus a significant jump in the number of patients who can’t pay, The Boston Globe reports. The American Hospital Association (AHA) released new data last week concerning investment losses and difficulty of borrowing money at this time.
AHA's CEO Rich Umbdenstock says that the hardest-hit hospitals began cutting back on staff and services as early as last spring with more to follow, but are trying to limit the impact on patients.
The AHA also found that 56% of hospitals are reconsidering or postponing renovations or expansions, about 40% are delaying improvements and 63% saw some decline in overall admissions; 9% saw a bigger drop.
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