News Releases

Key Indicators Report Claims the Region’s Economy is to Blame for Declining Volume

Northeast Ohio’s hospitals have faced overall declining volume for several quarters in a row including the third quarter of 2011, according to The Center for Health Affairs' latest Key Indicators Report, which reflects data from that time period. Both inpatient and outpatient surgery volume were down in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same quarter of 2010. The sluggish economy is likely to blame for the decrease in volume, with more people likely putting off healthcare in favor of other financial obligations.

The sluggish economy is also a probable contributing factor for several other volume trends seen in Northeast Ohio, including the increase in emergency department cases and admissions from the emergency department. The growth of these indicators suggests that many patients are delaying necessary care until they end up in the emergency department. The increase in psychiatric/chemical dependency discharges may also be related to the economy as the financial troubles and unemployment that coincide with a poor economy can unleash pervasive anxiety that may lead to an increase in the need for behavioral healthcare services, according to the report.

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.