Well known healthcare design firm Bernstein & Associates, Architects has been featured on the therapeutic website found at www.therapeuticenvironment.com.
The Therapeutic Environment website which can be found at www.therapeuticenvironment.com has been launched as a tool for the healthcare industry.
Those consumers and administrators interested in the Therapeutic Environment will find this site very useful.
Therapeutic Environment offers consumers, facility managers purchasing agents, and business owners a comprehensive directory for all products and services needed to design build and equip healthcare and laboratory facilities.
What you fill find on Therapeutic Environment:- Therapeutic Environment Design Services for the Early Planning and Design Phases - Therapeutic Environment Construction Services for the Construction Build-Out - Therapeutic Environment Project Management Services to Manage the Design and Construction Process - Therapeutic Environment Building Products - Therapeutic Environment Equipment - Therapeutic Environment Furniture - Therapeutic Environment Software
For more information about the therapeutic environment, visit www.therapeuticenvironment.com .
For Medical Office see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-medical-offices/
For more information about hospital design and medical office design, visit Bernstein & Associates, Architects at www.bernarch.com.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
New Article on USP 797 Compliance Published
Bernstein & Associates, Architects is pleased to announce the publication of a new article about USP 797 compliance. The article was published on USP 797 (www.usp797.org), the website focused on design, construction and operation of USP 797 compliant pharmacies.
The article discusses the following:
- An interesting survey of USP 797 compliance in the United States in 2009 was recently published in Pharmacy Purchasing & Products magazine (www.pppmag.com).
- The survey looks at various areas of USP 797 compliance.
- It begins with results of the most basic question: how many directors of pharmacy have read the USP 97 regulation
- Partial or full pharmacy compliance with USP 797 has also grown
- Full compliance with USP 797 is measured differently
- The approach of regulatory bodies towards USP 797
- State boards of pharmacy and USP 797 compliance
- JCAHO and USP 797 compliance
- Hospitals reporting a patient incident involving a compounding error during the past five years
- Continuing improvement in USP 797 compliance in pharmacies in the United States, as well as increased focus on USP 797 compliance by state pharmacy boards and JCAHO.
About the Author:
William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA is the principal of Bernstein & Associates, Architects (www.bernarch.com) and president of Equipment Planning, Inc. (www.equipmentplanning.org). This architecture firm and equipment planning firm are well-known for pharmacy planning, pharmacy design and pharmacy architecture, including a sub-specialty in usp 797 compliant pharmacy design and construction. These pharmacy consulting firms have designed and equipment planned over twenty new pharmacies, pharmacy renovations, and pharmacy relocations in the past five years. The firm's principal --- William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA --- is a well known pharmacy architect and pharmacy equipment planner. He has written extensively on pharmacy design and pharmacy construction including usp 797 compliant pharmacies. Mr. Bernstein's pharmacy design articles can be found on www.pharmacydesign.org, and his usp 797 articles can be found on the usp 797 website www.usp797.org.
For USP 797 Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-usp-797-compliant-pharmacy-design-and-consulting/
For more information about pharmacy planning, pharmacy design and pharmacy construction, contact Bernstein & Associates, Architects at:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A, NY, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@bernarch.com
www.bernarch.com
For more information about pharmacy equipment planning, and pharmacy automation equipment specifications and planning, contact Equipment Planning, Inc. at:
Equipment Planning, Inc.
59 West 19th Street - 6A, NY, NY 10011
T: 212.463.08200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@equipmentplanning.org
www.equipmentplanning.org
The article discusses the following:
- An interesting survey of USP 797 compliance in the United States in 2009 was recently published in Pharmacy Purchasing & Products magazine (www.pppmag.com).
- The survey looks at various areas of USP 797 compliance.
- It begins with results of the most basic question: how many directors of pharmacy have read the USP 97 regulation
- Partial or full pharmacy compliance with USP 797 has also grown
- Full compliance with USP 797 is measured differently
- The approach of regulatory bodies towards USP 797
- State boards of pharmacy and USP 797 compliance
- JCAHO and USP 797 compliance
- Hospitals reporting a patient incident involving a compounding error during the past five years
- Continuing improvement in USP 797 compliance in pharmacies in the United States, as well as increased focus on USP 797 compliance by state pharmacy boards and JCAHO.
About the Author:
William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA is the principal of Bernstein & Associates, Architects (www.bernarch.com) and president of Equipment Planning, Inc. (www.equipmentplanning.org). This architecture firm and equipment planning firm are well-known for pharmacy planning, pharmacy design and pharmacy architecture, including a sub-specialty in usp 797 compliant pharmacy design and construction. These pharmacy consulting firms have designed and equipment planned over twenty new pharmacies, pharmacy renovations, and pharmacy relocations in the past five years. The firm's principal --- William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA --- is a well known pharmacy architect and pharmacy equipment planner. He has written extensively on pharmacy design and pharmacy construction including usp 797 compliant pharmacies. Mr. Bernstein's pharmacy design articles can be found on www.pharmacydesign.org, and his usp 797 articles can be found on the usp 797 website www.usp797.org.
For USP 797 Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-usp-797-compliant-pharmacy-design-and-consulting/
For more information about pharmacy planning, pharmacy design and pharmacy construction, contact Bernstein & Associates, Architects at:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A, NY, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@bernarch.com
www.bernarch.com
For more information about pharmacy equipment planning, and pharmacy automation equipment specifications and planning, contact Equipment Planning, Inc. at:
Equipment Planning, Inc.
59 West 19th Street - 6A, NY, NY 10011
T: 212.463.08200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@equipmentplanning.org
www.equipmentplanning.org
New Article Published on How Office Based Design Regulations Impact Medical Office Design
Bernstein & Associates, Architects is pleased to announce the publication of a new article on medical office design, entitled “Impact of the New Office Based Surgery Regulations on Design of Medical Offices”.
- Over the last 20 years, as the practice of office based surgery has increased, so have the regulations adapted by state health departments.
- The goal of these new office based surgery regulations
- Medical staff must now follow certain regulations when performing invasive or surgical procedures that use more than minimal sedation.
- a large part of these new guidelines pertains to the design, planning and construction of an office based surgery center
- Each state has its own rules and regulations governing medical procedures performed in the office: some, like Florida, spell out their own requirements, while others, including New York as of July 14, 2009, have medical offices turn to outside accreditation agencies.
- In New York, the three organizations selected by the government for accreditation are the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
- Other states add Medicare Guidelines as an option for certification. While these various regulatory agencies agree on most of the criteria needed for office based surgery accreditation, they each emphasize different points and have different specific rules and environmental requirements, so it is important to understand the differences between the various regulations prior to selecting one for application on a particular project.
- Excerpts from guidelines provided
- AAAASF excerpts re Office Based Design
- AAAHC excerpts re: Office Based Design
- JCAHO excerpts re: Office Based Design
- Conclusion: important differences between the regulations of three main accreditation agencies --- AAAASF, AAAHC, and JCAHO --- in terms of the design of an accredited office based surgery facility. The individual regulations should be carefully studied to evaluate which if the three regulations is most appropriate for a particular practice and facility.
The article was written by the firm’s principle, a well-known expert in green healthcare design, William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA.
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, this company is an award-winning healthcare architectural firm specializing in healthcare design, including medical office design, as well as how the new Office Based Surgery guidelines impact medical office design. The firm takes pride in providing the highest level of sustainable healthcare and hospital design work, with additional expertise, energy saving measures for hospitals, cost reduction strategies for hospitals, hospital safety and patient safety.
For Office Based Surgery Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-office-based-surgery/
For more information about medical office design, as well as how the new Office Based Surgery guidelines impact medical office design, please contact:
William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA – Principal
Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A New York, NY 10011
Telephone: 212.463.8200
Fax: 212.463.9898
Email: info@bernarch.com
www.bernarch.com
- Over the last 20 years, as the practice of office based surgery has increased, so have the regulations adapted by state health departments.
- The goal of these new office based surgery regulations
- Medical staff must now follow certain regulations when performing invasive or surgical procedures that use more than minimal sedation.
- a large part of these new guidelines pertains to the design, planning and construction of an office based surgery center
- Each state has its own rules and regulations governing medical procedures performed in the office: some, like Florida, spell out their own requirements, while others, including New York as of July 14, 2009, have medical offices turn to outside accreditation agencies.
- In New York, the three organizations selected by the government for accreditation are the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
- Other states add Medicare Guidelines as an option for certification. While these various regulatory agencies agree on most of the criteria needed for office based surgery accreditation, they each emphasize different points and have different specific rules and environmental requirements, so it is important to understand the differences between the various regulations prior to selecting one for application on a particular project.
- Excerpts from guidelines provided
- AAAASF excerpts re Office Based Design
- AAAHC excerpts re: Office Based Design
- JCAHO excerpts re: Office Based Design
- Conclusion: important differences between the regulations of three main accreditation agencies --- AAAASF, AAAHC, and JCAHO --- in terms of the design of an accredited office based surgery facility. The individual regulations should be carefully studied to evaluate which if the three regulations is most appropriate for a particular practice and facility.
The article was written by the firm’s principle, a well-known expert in green healthcare design, William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA.
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, this company is an award-winning healthcare architectural firm specializing in healthcare design, including medical office design, as well as how the new Office Based Surgery guidelines impact medical office design. The firm takes pride in providing the highest level of sustainable healthcare and hospital design work, with additional expertise, energy saving measures for hospitals, cost reduction strategies for hospitals, hospital safety and patient safety.
For Office Based Surgery Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-office-based-surgery/
For more information about medical office design, as well as how the new Office Based Surgery guidelines impact medical office design, please contact:
William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA – Principal
Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A New York, NY 10011
Telephone: 212.463.8200
Fax: 212.463.9898
Email: info@bernarch.com
www.bernarch.com
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Architecture Firm Featured in RSNA News in Article on Radiology Planning and Design
For Immediate Release (10/15/09)
Architecture Firm Featured in RSNA News in Article on Radiology Planning and Design
Bernstein & Associates, Architects is pleased that the firm’s principle, radiology architect William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA, has been featured in the latest edition of RSNA News, a monthly publication by the Radiological Society of North America.
The article is entitled “Radiology Architects Forecast the Facility of the Future”, and has been published in the October 2009 edition of RSNA News. To view this article on radiology architects, go to: http://www.rsna.org/Publications/rsnanews/October-2009/RadiologyArchitects_feature.cfm.
Amongst the interesting points made in the article about planning and designing a radiology facility, whether a hospital radiology department or an outpatient imaging center, are the following:
- Radiology facilities of the future will look different from those of the present
- There is a need to look ahead, when planning a radiology facility.
- Amongst the factors driving change in radiology design: “changes in practice, technology, referrals and revenue streams”
- Convergence of surgical and medical imaging, both in full blown OR’s as well as in procedure rooms with less invasive procedures
- Trend towards additional control rooms and additional electronic equipment rooms in surgical suites
- The importance of working with radiology architects: "It is extremely important to work with a radiology architect and facilities management personnel when redesigning or building new spaces," said Dr. Horii, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia
- Importance of proper reading room design – affects diagnostic speed, accuracy and overall work performance. Focus on reading room ergonomics, as well as how radiologists work today.
- Other key issues for radiology design are good lighting, focus on workflow, and reduction of noise
- Location of radiology equipment , as well as turnover rate, are key factors in efficient utilization of radiology equipment
- Radiology planner William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA, is quoted extensively in the article, on subjects such as timing of radiology equipment selection in the design process, infrastructure support for radiology facilities, universal room design, flexibility in design process, consideration of equipment entry at the beginning of project as well as equipment replacement in the future, and the value that radiology architects bring to the process.
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, this company is an award-winning architectural firm and specializing in the design and planning of radiology departments. The firm’s principle, Mr. Bernstein, is a well-known architect and radiology consultant in radiology department planning and design. Mr. Bernstein is a graduate of the Yale University School of Architecture, who has specialized in healthcare design and construction for over 30 years.
The firm takes pride in providing the highest level of healthcare and hospital design work, with additional expertise in sustainable healthcare facilities, energy saving measures for hospitals, cost reduction strategies for hospitals, hospital safety and patient safety.
For Radiology Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-radiology/
For more information about radiology department planning, design and construction, please contact:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects
59 West 19th Street - 6A New York, NY 10011
Telephone: 212.463.8200
Fax: 212.463.9898
Email: info@bernarch.com
Architecture Firm Featured in RSNA News in Article on Radiology Planning and Design
Bernstein & Associates, Architects is pleased that the firm’s principle, radiology architect William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA, has been featured in the latest edition of RSNA News, a monthly publication by the Radiological Society of North America.
The article is entitled “Radiology Architects Forecast the Facility of the Future”, and has been published in the October 2009 edition of RSNA News. To view this article on radiology architects, go to: http://www.rsna.org/Publications/rsnanews/October-2009/RadiologyArchitects_feature.cfm.
Amongst the interesting points made in the article about planning and designing a radiology facility, whether a hospital radiology department or an outpatient imaging center, are the following:
- Radiology facilities of the future will look different from those of the present
- There is a need to look ahead, when planning a radiology facility.
- Amongst the factors driving change in radiology design: “changes in practice, technology, referrals and revenue streams”
- Convergence of surgical and medical imaging, both in full blown OR’s as well as in procedure rooms with less invasive procedures
- Trend towards additional control rooms and additional electronic equipment rooms in surgical suites
- The importance of working with radiology architects: "It is extremely important to work with a radiology architect and facilities management personnel when redesigning or building new spaces," said Dr. Horii, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia
- Importance of proper reading room design – affects diagnostic speed, accuracy and overall work performance. Focus on reading room ergonomics, as well as how radiologists work today.
- Other key issues for radiology design are good lighting, focus on workflow, and reduction of noise
- Location of radiology equipment , as well as turnover rate, are key factors in efficient utilization of radiology equipment
- Radiology planner William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA, is quoted extensively in the article, on subjects such as timing of radiology equipment selection in the design process, infrastructure support for radiology facilities, universal room design, flexibility in design process, consideration of equipment entry at the beginning of project as well as equipment replacement in the future, and the value that radiology architects bring to the process.
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, this company is an award-winning architectural firm and specializing in the design and planning of radiology departments. The firm’s principle, Mr. Bernstein, is a well-known architect and radiology consultant in radiology department planning and design. Mr. Bernstein is a graduate of the Yale University School of Architecture, who has specialized in healthcare design and construction for over 30 years.
The firm takes pride in providing the highest level of healthcare and hospital design work, with additional expertise in sustainable healthcare facilities, energy saving measures for hospitals, cost reduction strategies for hospitals, hospital safety and patient safety.
For Radiology Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-radiology/
For more information about radiology department planning, design and construction, please contact:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects
59 West 19th Street - 6A New York, NY 10011
Telephone: 212.463.8200
Fax: 212.463.9898
Email: info@bernarch.com
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Architect Selected to Design New Office Based Surgery Facility
Bernstein & Associates, Architects (www.bernarch.com) has been selected to design a new, private medical office suite, to conform to the new office-based surgery regulations.
Many states have adopted the new office based surgery regulations into law. Specific regulations and deadlines vary by state.
New York State office based surgery regulations, as an example, were adapted into law through NYS Public Health Law section 230-d. This law pertains to "Licensees” (physicians, physician assistants and specialist assistants) who perform invasive or surgical procedures using more than minimal sedation.
The deadline for office based surgery facilities to conform to the new regulation occurred on July 14, 2009. So a licensee who fails to practice in an accredited setting after July 14, 2009 may be guilty of professional misconduct. Regulated practices, as defined in the new law, include any "surgical or other invasive procedure, requiring general anesthesia, moderate sedation, or deep sedation, and any liposuction procedure, where such surgical or other invasive procedure or liposuction is performed by a licensee in a location other than a hospital [...] excluding minor procedures and procedures requiring minimal sedation."
In New York State, as in many states, practitioners have the option of conforming to one of three accreditation bodies, each of which has its own set of guidelines: The Joint Commission (JCAHO), the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, this company is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in hospital design, healthcare design and medical office design. Within the specialty of medical office design, this healthcare architecture firm has developed an understanding and expertise in design medical offices to meet the new office based surgery guidelines.
For Office Based Surgery Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-office-based-surgery/
For more information about the office based surgery, please contact well known healthcare architect, William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA at:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects
59 West 19th Street - 6A, New York, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@bernarch.com
W: www.bernarch.com
Many states have adopted the new office based surgery regulations into law. Specific regulations and deadlines vary by state.
New York State office based surgery regulations, as an example, were adapted into law through NYS Public Health Law section 230-d. This law pertains to "Licensees” (physicians, physician assistants and specialist assistants) who perform invasive or surgical procedures using more than minimal sedation.
The deadline for office based surgery facilities to conform to the new regulation occurred on July 14, 2009. So a licensee who fails to practice in an accredited setting after July 14, 2009 may be guilty of professional misconduct. Regulated practices, as defined in the new law, include any "surgical or other invasive procedure, requiring general anesthesia, moderate sedation, or deep sedation, and any liposuction procedure, where such surgical or other invasive procedure or liposuction is performed by a licensee in a location other than a hospital [...] excluding minor procedures and procedures requiring minimal sedation."
In New York State, as in many states, practitioners have the option of conforming to one of three accreditation bodies, each of which has its own set of guidelines: The Joint Commission (JCAHO), the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, this company is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in hospital design, healthcare design and medical office design. Within the specialty of medical office design, this healthcare architecture firm has developed an understanding and expertise in design medical offices to meet the new office based surgery guidelines.
For Office Based Surgery Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-office-based-surgery/
For more information about the office based surgery, please contact well known healthcare architect, William N. Bernstein, LEED®AP, AIA at:
Bernstein & Associates, Architects
59 West 19th Street - 6A, New York, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@bernarch.com
W: www.bernarch.com
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
New Article on Mail Order Pharmacy Design Published
Bernstein & Associates, Architects is pleased to announce the publication of a new article about mail order pharmacy design. The article was published on Pharmacy Design (www.pharmacydesign.org), the website focused on pharmacy design.
The article discusses the following pharmacy design concepts for a mail order pharmacy:
- an aesthetically pleasing pharmacy environment, combined with a focus on pharmacy workflow and pharmacy functionality
- creation of pharmacy “pod” workstations
- pharmacy pod storage
- pharmacy pod touch screen computer
- use of pharmacy counting machines, located close to each pod for increased prescription workflow
- an efficient pharmacy storage and pharmacy shelving system to house drug overstock
- provision of excess pharmacy shelving to accommodate company and stock volume growth
- custom controlled substance cabinets disguised to look identical to regular cabinets to prevent theft in the event of a break in. These cabinets are located in a central, clear area for constant monitoring and easy access.
- provision for future addition of pharmacy automation technology, as well as the addition of new pharmacist/technician teams.
To view this article: go to www.pharmacydesign.org
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, *Bernstein & Assoc., Architects - PLLC* is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in healthcare and laboratories, with a sub-specialty in the design and construction of USP 797-compliant pharmacy facilities. Over the last three years, the firm has designed over (20) usp 797-compliant pharmacies.
For Pharmacy Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-pharmacy/
For more information about pharmacy design and construction, please contact:
William N. Bernstein, AIA
Principal
Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A New York, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@bernarch.com
W: www.bernarch.com
The article discusses the following pharmacy design concepts for a mail order pharmacy:
- an aesthetically pleasing pharmacy environment, combined with a focus on pharmacy workflow and pharmacy functionality
- creation of pharmacy “pod” workstations
- pharmacy pod storage
- pharmacy pod touch screen computer
- use of pharmacy counting machines, located close to each pod for increased prescription workflow
- an efficient pharmacy storage and pharmacy shelving system to house drug overstock
- provision of excess pharmacy shelving to accommodate company and stock volume growth
- custom controlled substance cabinets disguised to look identical to regular cabinets to prevent theft in the event of a break in. These cabinets are located in a central, clear area for constant monitoring and easy access.
- provision for future addition of pharmacy automation technology, as well as the addition of new pharmacist/technician teams.
To view this article: go to www.pharmacydesign.org
About Bernstein & Associates, Architects: Founded in 1990, *Bernstein & Assoc., Architects - PLLC* is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in healthcare and laboratories, with a sub-specialty in the design and construction of USP 797-compliant pharmacy facilities. Over the last three years, the firm has designed over (20) usp 797-compliant pharmacies.
For Pharmacy Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-pharmacy/
For more information about pharmacy design and construction, please contact:
William N. Bernstein, AIA
Principal
Bernstein & Associates, Architects - PLLC
59 West 19th Street - 6A New York, NY 10011
T: 212.463.8200
F: 212.463.9898
E: info@bernarch.com
W: www.bernarch.com
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Impact of Recession Easing on Hospitals
From a story on Reuters, 19 Aug 2009:
Thomson Reuters Study Finds Impact of Recession Easing on U.S. Hospitals
Total Margins, Liquidity Increase Significantly From Third Quarter of 2008; 30 Percent of Hospitals Remain Unprofitable
Ann Arbor, MI - August 19, 2009 - The median profit margin of U.S. hospitals increased from 0.17 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to an analysis of hospital finances published today by Thomson Reuters.
The recovery has been broad-based, with all classes of hospitals - small, medium and large community hospitals, teaching hospitals and major teaching hospitals - showing positive median margins.
The study tracks two dozen key financial indicators, using proprietary and public data to dissect the balance sheets of more than 400 hospitals nationwide. It evaluates trends in revenue and profit, employment levels, closures, inpatient volume, days cash on hand, and charity expenses to gauge the fiscal health of the nation's hospitals.
Following are the key findings of the analysis:
Total Margins Increase: Hospitals' median total margins were near zero the last time this analysis was conducted, which captured data through Q3 2008. In Q1 2009, all classes of hospitals had positive operating margins, reaching an average of 3.1 percent.
30 Percent of Hospitals Still in the Red: In Q1 2009, 30 percent of hospitals had negative profit margins. This is an improvement from Q3 2008, when 50 percent of hospitals were operating in the red.
Liquidity Holding Steady: Amidst fears of a hospital credit crunch, it appears that hospitals' "median days cash on hand" is holding steady. On average, hospitals had 90 days cash on hand in Q1 2009, a decline from the highs seen in early 2007, but an increase from Q3 2008.
Running at 90 Percent Capacity: In Q1 2009, more than 90 percent of licensed beds were in operation in a typical hospital. This number has held relatively steady since 2005.
Labor Costs Down: Hospitals have cut labor costs by approximately 3 percent year-over-year through Q1 2009, while non-labor-related expenses have decreased by approximately 2 percent year-over-year.
"The financial situation has improved dramatically for U.S. hospitals," said Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare & Science business of Thomson Reuters and lead author of the study. "When we published our first analysis of hospital economic health in the fall of 2008, hospitals were facing unprecedented economic stress and staring down a real crisis. Through a combination of aggressive cost controls and overall improvement in the economy, we're beginning to see a recovery, but it will be critical to watch these metrics to make sure that recovery is sustainable.
For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com
For Hospital Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-hospitals/
Thomson Reuters Study Finds Impact of Recession Easing on U.S. Hospitals
Total Margins, Liquidity Increase Significantly From Third Quarter of 2008; 30 Percent of Hospitals Remain Unprofitable
Ann Arbor, MI - August 19, 2009 - The median profit margin of U.S. hospitals increased from 0.17 percent in the third quarter of 2008 to 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to an analysis of hospital finances published today by Thomson Reuters.
The recovery has been broad-based, with all classes of hospitals - small, medium and large community hospitals, teaching hospitals and major teaching hospitals - showing positive median margins.
The study tracks two dozen key financial indicators, using proprietary and public data to dissect the balance sheets of more than 400 hospitals nationwide. It evaluates trends in revenue and profit, employment levels, closures, inpatient volume, days cash on hand, and charity expenses to gauge the fiscal health of the nation's hospitals.
Following are the key findings of the analysis:
Total Margins Increase: Hospitals' median total margins were near zero the last time this analysis was conducted, which captured data through Q3 2008. In Q1 2009, all classes of hospitals had positive operating margins, reaching an average of 3.1 percent.
30 Percent of Hospitals Still in the Red: In Q1 2009, 30 percent of hospitals had negative profit margins. This is an improvement from Q3 2008, when 50 percent of hospitals were operating in the red.
Liquidity Holding Steady: Amidst fears of a hospital credit crunch, it appears that hospitals' "median days cash on hand" is holding steady. On average, hospitals had 90 days cash on hand in Q1 2009, a decline from the highs seen in early 2007, but an increase from Q3 2008.
Running at 90 Percent Capacity: In Q1 2009, more than 90 percent of licensed beds were in operation in a typical hospital. This number has held relatively steady since 2005.
Labor Costs Down: Hospitals have cut labor costs by approximately 3 percent year-over-year through Q1 2009, while non-labor-related expenses have decreased by approximately 2 percent year-over-year.
"The financial situation has improved dramatically for U.S. hospitals," said Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare & Science business of Thomson Reuters and lead author of the study. "When we published our first analysis of hospital economic health in the fall of 2008, hospitals were facing unprecedented economic stress and staring down a real crisis. Through a combination of aggressive cost controls and overall improvement in the economy, we're beginning to see a recovery, but it will be critical to watch these metrics to make sure that recovery is sustainable.
For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com
For Hospital Design see, http://bernarch.com/healthcare-design-hospitals/
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