Hospitals’ operating margins and patient volumes dropped slightly in March. While hospitals were doing relatively well financially during the first quarter of the year, this new data could suggest more financial challenges ahead for hospitals. But right now, it’s unclear whether the recent declines in hospitals’ margins and volumes will be short- or long-term.
Hospitals’ operating margins are still in a worse place than they were before the pandemic, but 2023 is ending as a much more stable year for hospital finance than 2022, according to a new report from Kaufman Hall. Because this year hasn't had any large Covid-19 surges, hospitals have seen less variability in patient volumes. This has helped them allocate their resources more efficiently and decrease their reliance on expensive contract labor.
Patient volumes were uneven in 2020, and a new report shows volumes will likely remain below pre-pandemic levels in 2021. This indicates challenges for hospitals looking to stabilize their finances — but there are some key strategies that can help.