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Changes in Hospital Adverse Events and Patient Outcomes Associated With Private Equity Acquisition

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by philnotfil, Dec 27, 2023.

  1. Dec 27, 2023 #1
    philnotfil

    philnotfil GC Hall of Fame

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    Private Equity ownership of hospitals results in worse outcomes for patients.

    Hospital Adverse Events and Patient Outcomes Associated With Private Equity Acquisition

    Findings In a difference-in-differences examination of 662 095 hospitalizations at 51 private equity–acquired hospitals and 4 160 720 hospitalizations at 259 matched control hospitals using 100% Medicare Part A claims data, private equity acquisition was associated with a 25.4% increase in hospital-acquired conditions, which was driven by falls and central line–associated bloodstream infections. Medicare beneficiaries at private equity hospitals were modestly younger, less likely to have dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, and transferred more to other acute care hospitals relative to control, likely reflecting a lower-risk population of admitted beneficiaries. This potentially explained a small relative reduction for in-hospital mortality that dissipated by 30 days after hospital discharge.

    Meaning Private equity acquisition of hospitals, on average, was associated with increased hospital-acquired adverse events despite a likely lower-risk pool of admitted Medicare beneficiaries, suggesting poorer quality of inpatient care.

     
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  2. Dec 27, 2023 #2
    VAg8r1

    VAg8r1 GC Hall of Fame

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    Why am I not surprised? When private equity acquires firms its only meaningful metric is the financial bottom line. Hospitals and healthcare firms no different. It shouldn't be surprising to anyone that patient outcomes are taking a backseat to profits.
     
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  3. Dec 27, 2023 #3
    duggers_dad

    duggers_dad GC Hall of Fame

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  4. Dec 27, 2023 #4
    Trickster

    Trickster VIP Member

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    Speaking of private equity firms, look what they’ve done to local and regional newspapers. When profit is the primary motive in any endeavor, quality inevitably suffers.
     
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  5. Dec 27, 2023 #5
    g8trjax

    g8trjax GC Hall of Fame

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    LOL, just wait till they gain the upper hand in housing rentals...
     
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  6. Dec 27, 2023 #6
    AgingGator

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    This should surprise no one. When small/medium size hospitals struggle, as all do, that offer from a private equity firm starts looking mighty attractive.

    I would venture to say that the same outcome could be found in all of the large chains as well.

    We can all thank Mr. Morgan and his ilk for blurring the lines of malpractice and negligence with fraud.
     
  7. Dec 27, 2023 #7
    BigCypressGator1981

    BigCypressGator1981 GC Hall of Fame

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    Yay capitalism!!!
     
  8. Dec 27, 2023 #8
    citygator

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    Charlotte
    I dont think I’ve ever agreed with Elon on anything but he did point out that the quarterly earnings drive produces inefficiency in public companies. I’d assume that is the same in hospitals.. the drive to make earnings incentivizes short term thinking which can be bad for the patient.

    I’d support a public health option. Zero chance it costs more than what we have.
     
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  9. Dec 27, 2023 #9
    Trickster

    Trickster VIP Member

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    Those too!
     
  10. Dec 27, 2023 #10
    channingcrowderhungry

    channingcrowderhungry Premium Member

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    Bottom of a pint glass
    I've been saying for years if you want to know who is making all the money check out the names on the highrise buildings in your local downtown. It will all be banks and healthcare companies. The two industries where the free market really falls apart the most, imo.