News Releases

Key Indicators Report Points to Trend of Diminishing Outpatient Surgery Volume

The region has been mired in troubling economic times for well over two years now and The Center’s member hospitals are feeling its effects, according to the latest Key Indicators Report, which reflects data from the second quarter of 2011. Though overall volume is down only slightly, what may be most telling is the decline in outpatient surgical cases.

Outpatient surgical cases have been on the decline for four straight quarters, suggesting that the dips seen in this indicator are more than just a typical data fluctuation. This newer trend of decreasing volume is somewhat surprising. Prior to the third quarter of 2010, outpatient surgical cases routinely experienced increasing volume. Even through the most difficult quarters of the recession, these cases increased in almost every quarter compared to the same quarter the previous year. As the struggling economy and high unemployment drag on, it is likely that patients are deciding to put off care in favor of meeting other financial obligations. 

The Key Indicators Report provides analysis of the hospital market based on Volume Statistics data. For more information on this report please contact Deanna Moore at 216.255.3614 or deanna.moore@chanet.org.