Ambulatory care has grown dramatically in recent years, and all signs point to continued growth. In 2017 (the most recent year for which data is available), net outpatient service revenue equaled 95% of net inpatient revenue, an increase from 83% in 2013.[1] Clearly every hospital and health system must have an effective ambulatory care strategy. […]
If your ambulatory network is the only provider in town, and it is providing high-quality services at reasonable rates that meet the community’s needs, those characteristics will likely position your organization for success. But what happens when your organization is surrounded by competitors (including some of the new entrants) fighting for market share? How do […]
Many conversations we have with hospital and health system executives about market growth strategies eventually turns to the topic of micro-hospitals — and for good reason. These facilities typically include a small-scale emergency department (ED), low-acuity surgery, and are often comprised of eight to 10 inpatient beds as well as additional observation beds (notably, these […]
For most hospitals and health systems, orthopedic services are a major contributor to the bottom line and indirectly support many other critical acute care services. Demand for orthopedic services is increasing—but so is competition among providers. To protect orthopedic share and margin in this environment, it will be essential for health systems and hospitals to […]
Healthcare organizations are moving beyond opportunistic physician practice acquisition and medical office building development to a more proactive, systematic approach to care and service. To become an ambulatory care leader, an organization must address the following three key factors. Optimal Service Mix and Configuration The organization should start by defining the ambulatory care service mix […]
When health system leaders are asked how they intend to make their ambulatory networks more consumer friendly, many point to their organization’s new one-stop ambulatory care center, on-line scheduling, patient portal or upcoming telehealth plans. In other words, they refer to specific tactics or initiatives rather than describing an overarching strategy for consumer engagement. […]
In today’s healthcare environment, convenient access to ambulatory services is more important than ever before. In part due to the introduction of value-based payment models that reward providers for lowering the total cost of care for patients, inpatient volumes in many markets have been flat or declining for several years. Success under value-based payment […]
There has been tremendous growth in freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs), with a more than 100% increase in the number of such EDs between 2008 and 2016. The popularity of FSEDs is rooted in their potential to increase community access to vital healthcare resources. Consumers perceive them as having more extensive clinical capabilities than an urgent […]
