News Releases

Third Quarter Key Indicators: Outpatient Volume Growth Continues

Northeast Ohio hospitals are enjoying outpatient volume growth once again, according to the Third Quarter 2012 Key Indicators Report. Data from the last few quarters make it clear that the declining volume witnessed in this indicator following the Great Recession was an aberration from a larger trend. Outpatient surgical cases grew by 3.05 percent in the third quarter, which is typical of most quarters in the last several years with the exception of those during the economic downturn. 

According to the report, “In comparison to the same quarter the previous year, volume has grown for outpatient surgeries in 20 of the last 30 quarters. Nearly half of those quarters showed an increase of over 2 percent.” 

Some of the most important factors contributing to the trend of outpatient volume growth are improved medical technologies, medication breakthroughs and less invasive surgeries. These advancements shorten hospital stays considerably and have, in many cases eliminated the need for hospitalization altogether. 

The Key Indicators Report provides analysis of the hospital market based on Volume Statistics data. More information on outpatient volume growth and other utilization trends is available by contacting Deanna Moore at 216.255.3614 or deanna.moore@chanet.org.