The change has begun. According to a Kaufman Hall survey of nonprofit hospital executives, nonprofit hospitals have experienced a decrease in inpatient utilization and an increase in outpatient utilization during the first and second quarters of 2014. In addition, the majority of nonprofit hospitals experienced no growth or a decline in emergency department volumes.
Percentage change in inpatient utilization (by percentage of respondents):
Increase 3 percent or more: 5.8 percent
Increase 0 to 2.9 percent: 26.1 percent
No change: 15.9 percent
Decrease 0 to 2.9 percent: 20.3 percent
Decrease 3 to 4.9 percent: 17.4 percent
Decrease 5 to 9.9 percent: 10.1 percent
Decrease 10 percent or more: 4.3 percent
Percent change in outpatient visits (by percentage of respondents):
Increase 3 percent or more: 36.2 percent
Increase 0 to 2.9 percent: 36.2 percent
No change: 11.6 percent
Decrease 0 to 2.9 percent: 13.0 percent
Decrease 3 to 4.9 percent: 1.4 percent
Decrease 5 to 9.9 percent: 1.4 percent
Decrease 10 percent or more: 0.0 percent
Percentage change in ED visits (by percentage of respondents):
Increase 3 percent or more: 17.9 percent
Increase 0 to 2.9 percent: 22.4 percent
No change: 23.9 percent
Decrease 0 to 2.9 percent: 23.9 percent
Decrease 3 to 4.9 percent: 4.5 percent
Decrease 5 to 9.9 percent: 4.5 percent
Decrease 10 percent or more: 3.0 percent
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Inpatient utilization stagnates, falls for 68% of nonprofit hospitals