U.S. hospitals and health systems struggled with high expenses, shifting volumes, and negative margins as long-running financial pressures persisted in the second month of 2023, according to the latest Syntellis Performance Trends Report. 

The actual, median year-to-date hospital Operating Margin was -0.9% in February, with margins remaining in the red as they were throughout 2022. Meanwhile, a sizable rise in Outpatient Revenue and growth in knee replacement surgeries in outpatient settings reflected the ongoing shift away from inpatient care. 

Read this month’s report, which draws from diverse datasets — including financial, clinical, and claims data — to provide deeper insights into these trends and their underlying causes.