Health Affairs, 22, no. 6 (2003): 40-54 doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.22.6.40 © 2003 by Project HOPE	New Online   House Health Reform Bill   Paying for Reform   Vetting AHIP's Report   HIV/AIDS Costs   Brief: Insurance Reform   HA Blog Top 10

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Supply & Demand

Does U.S. Hospital Capacity Need To Be Expanded?

Some industry experts believe that U.S. hospital capacity—especially emergency and inpatient services—is being stretched to its limits. Using data from the Community Tracking Study, this paper examines constrained hospital services, contributing factors, and hospitals’ responses. Most hospitals studied had emergency capacity problems, but problems in other service areas were limited to only a few hospitals. Hospitals have added or converted capacity, improved capacity management, dealt with nursing shortages, and worked with public officials to reduce emergency department diversions. Although additional capacity might be needed in some markets, better management of existing resources could be a more effective solution.

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