Industry Trends

Since 2009, U.S.-based medical organizations have suffered 5,478 data breaches that affected 423 million medical records, according to the Aug. 15 report. 

The decisions those firms make – while entering or exiting – will have a lasting impact.

Recent study data suggest hospitals in more competitive healthcare markets do not demonstrate clear post-surgery outcome improvements across several high-risk procedures — a thorn in the side of those advocating for policies limiting hospital consolidation on the grounds of reduced care quality.

Disclosed prices total more than $17.1 billion across 21 deals, since the start of the year.

More health systems and healthcare companies are continuing to invest in hospital-at-home programs, with Mass General Brigham and MedArrive both announcing new investments in the hospital-at-home space this month.

According to PitchBook, around 164 deals were either recorded or announced last quarter — a 23% decline compared to the first quarter of the year and the sixth straight quarter of declining deals.

Coverage for SUD treatment and opioid use disorder (OUD) medications increased substantially over the study period, which ran from 2014 to 2021.

The Williamston, NC, hospital shut down Aug. 3 and said at the time that while the hospital was closing, its clinics would remain open. News reports says the clinics will close in October if not sold.

An analysis of companies tracked by the data firm PitchBook, in partnership with Definitive Healthcare, finds that commercial health plans represent 92% of total charges and 86% of claims.

Outpatient surgical volumes are expected to grow 18% over the next decade to 109.5 million cases, according to a report, with total joint replacements and spinal fusions leading the way.