Hospital and health system leaders report worst financial year since start of COVID-19

Hospitals and health systems are experiencing the most difficult year financially since the COVID-19 pandemic began, as staffing shortages, “skyrocketing” labor costs, supply chain disruptions, inflation, rising interest rates and volatile markets pressure revenue and expenses, according to the latest annual survey on health care performance trends by Kaufman Hall. Among other challenges, many hospital and health system leaders noted an increase in inpatient length of stay as staffing shortages in post-acute care settings create patient bottlenecks in the hospital, delaying timely patient discharges and leaving hospitals to absorb additional costs.