Declining hospital profits, likely as a result of Americans losing health insurance, have stymied many hospital’s plans for renovation and new construction and are forcing hospitals to reduce hospital staff, according to the study, which was published in the May/June issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
The researchers speculate hospital cutbacks may risk the quality and safety of healthcare delivery and urge the federal government to improve public awareness of overcrowding emergency services, nurse-to-patient ratios and use of information technology.
“In uncertain economic times, it’s especially important to have certainty that hospitals are doing things safely. But as hospitals reduce staff and make other changes to make ends meet, we don’t necessarily have that certainty. That’s why it’s as important as ever to not only measure the quality of hospital care, but also understand the systems that do deliver consistent, cost-effective and high quality care.” Jeremy Sussman, MD, MS, lead author of the study, said in the release.
Read the University of Michigan release on the recession and hospital quality.
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