Hospital operating margins stagger, outpatient demand grows 

U.S. hospitals, health systems, and physician groups saw positive gains in September 2023, but the path to financial recovery remains uncertain due to high costs, unstable volumes, and other challenges. Key trends from the latest Syntellis Performance Trends report include: 

  • The median hospital operating margin improved for a second consecutive month but remains narrow; it likely will be some time before hospitals reach more sustainable levels.  

  • Hospital volumes weakened across most metrics and likely will fluctuate as seasonal illnesses such as flu and COVID spread in the coming months.   

  • Pediatric inpatient volumes fell sharply compared to late 2022 levels, due in part to declines in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) following a spike in RSV cases last fall. 

Read the full report to learn more.