TRENTON, N.J. — The American Hospital Association found 22 percent of hospitals that responded to its March survey have reduced services since the current economic troubles began in September. Those services range from outpatient clinics and behavioral health programs to patient education and home health care after discharge.
Other actions included eliminating jobs, selling assets, reducing overtime, cutting staff hours, freezing salaries, cutting benefits and reducing supply costs. In addition, some hospitals are considering mergers to reduce costs.
Just less than half the hospitals have cut staffers, and the number resorting to mass layoffs — 50 or more employees at once — is up.
The survey was sent to all 4,946 community hospitals in the country, and 1,078, 22 percent, responded.
