For those in the industry, the continued consolidation and increasing power of hospital systems seems a given, despite the problems that entails. It is refreshing to see this perspective voiced
As I said in another thread, hospitals are the largest component of US healthcare cost. They make money by increasing the number of hospital visits, especially for surgeries. Even non profits have been consolidating and seeking profit, and the largest non profit systems have dramatically increased their incomes over the last few decades
Hospitals are devouring outpatient clinics to get their patient volume into the hospital system. These practices are loss leaders for the hospital profit centers in many cases
Sadly, many hospital systems fight improvements in care that decrease inpatient admissions by making people healthier, because fewer admissions means less hospital revenue.
Having hospitals in charge of US healthcare is like having the fox in charge of the henhouse
What is the thing about hospitals that distinguishes them from other facilities?
Is it just that they have beds and everything else is a clinic?
Why is having beds such a big factor? Is it just that they are a large fixed cost which makes it hard to turn a profit?
I don't particularly like hospitals, but the healthcare system in the US is hugely fragmented and piecing together all the providers you need is a pain in the ass, why are hospitals unable to capitalize on their broad experience and expertise to help?
Having had 3 stays last year in the UK hospitals have a large number or nurses, support staff and normally a junior doctor for a relatively small number of patients.
Also all Doctors admit that hospitals are not healthy places and that getting people home as quick as possible is always good
Not to mention the utter evil in the way billing practices drive care. Many hospitals will perform unnecessary procedures on patients as soon as they know they will be covered by insurance. This leads to unnecessary catheterizations, blood draws, etc.
As I said in another thread, hospitals are the largest component of US healthcare cost. They make money by increasing the number of hospital visits, especially for surgeries. Even non profits have been consolidating and seeking profit, and the largest non profit systems have dramatically increased their incomes over the last few decades
Hospitals are devouring outpatient clinics to get their patient volume into the hospital system. These practices are loss leaders for the hospital profit centers in many cases
Sadly, many hospital systems fight improvements in care that decrease inpatient admissions by making people healthier, because fewer admissions means less hospital revenue.
Having hospitals in charge of US healthcare is like having the fox in charge of the henhouse