A survey of hospital and health system resource executives showed many respondents expect change as a result of healthcare reform, according to a Towers Watson news release.
The Towers Watson survey was conducted in June-July 2011 and includes responses from human resource executives at 106 hospitals and healthcare systems.
Survey responses showed a majority of respondents anticipate significant changes in their operations when healthcare reform is fully implemented, including cuts in reimbursement levels (93 percent) and shifts in payor mix with fewer private payors (67 percent). Respondents also expect a wider range of skill among hospital staff (77 percent) and a higher ratio of outpatient to inpatient care (75 percent).
In terms of the top three greatest business challenges over the next two to three years, respondents cited managing costs (72 percent), improving quality of care (56 percent) and managing changes in payor mix (25 percent). Projected labor shortages also sparked more concerns about staffing risks (71 percent) than financial risk (52 percent) or operational risk (39 percent).
The Towers Watson survey was conducted in June-July 2011 and includes responses from human resource executives at 106 hospitals and healthcare systems.
Survey responses showed a majority of respondents anticipate significant changes in their operations when healthcare reform is fully implemented, including cuts in reimbursement levels (93 percent) and shifts in payor mix with fewer private payors (67 percent). Respondents also expect a wider range of skill among hospital staff (77 percent) and a higher ratio of outpatient to inpatient care (75 percent).
In terms of the top three greatest business challenges over the next two to three years, respondents cited managing costs (72 percent), improving quality of care (56 percent) and managing changes in payor mix (25 percent). Projected labor shortages also sparked more concerns about staffing risks (71 percent) than financial risk (52 percent) or operational risk (39 percent).
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