US hospital admissions experienced a slight increase of 0.6% year-over-year in May, following a trend of fluctuating patient volumes.
Commercial admissions remained stagnant, while Managed Medicare volumes saw a 0.7% increase. The data suggests that calendar effects may have played a role in the higher inpatient admissions noted on Mondays compared to later in the week.
A survey conducted among C-level executives from short-term acute care hospitals revealed that approximately one-third of respondents anticipate an increase in capital expenditures, while half expect spending to remain stable. Technology investment was a priority for most executives, with robotics receiving the least interest for additional funding. Joint ventures or divestitures in inpatient behavioral health services, inpatient rehabilitation, and clinical lab services were also being considered by many hospitals.
Debt Payment Programs (DPPs) are being contemplated by states such as Ohio, Washington, Wyoming, and Alabama, while North Dakota and Tennessee are considering increases to their existing DPP payments. The potential implementation of DPPs could have significant implications for public hospitals' financial stability and debt management.
In terms of volume metrics, outpatient volumes grew by 1.6% year-over-year, while outpatient surgeries saw a modest rise of 0.8%. Inpatient surgeries experienced a slight uptick of 0.5%, and emergency room visits rose by 2.4%. Medicaid admissions saw a slight decline of 0.1%, while Medicare admissions increased by 0.5%. The number of births recorded a year-over-year decrease of 1.4%, indicating potential demographic shifts that could impact future healthcare demand.
The insights from this survey provide valuable perspective on the current state of the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in terms of capital spending, service line evaluations, and payer dynamics. These factors will shape the future landscape of healthcare delivery in the country.