Death rates rose in hospital ERs after private equity firms took over
8 hours ago
- #private equity
- #patient outcomes
- #healthcare
- Patient death rates in emergency departments rose by 13% at private equity-owned hospitals compared to similar hospitals.
- Staffing levels dropped by 11.6% and salary expenditures in emergency departments and ICUs declined by 18% and 16%, respectively, post-acquisition.
- The study analyzed 1 million emergency department visits at 49 private equity-owned hospitals from 2009 to 2019.
- Private equity firms often cut costs by reducing staff and increasing prices to generate higher profits.
- Previous studies found similar negative outcomes, including an 11% higher mortality rate at private equity-owned nursing homes.
- Some states, like Oregon and Indiana, are enacting laws to limit private equity's influence in healthcare.