DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/1803-0J02

Defense Date

1988

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Health Administration

First Advisor

Michael J. McCue

Abstract

This study investigated the financial performance of not-for-profit hospitals in 10 Southern states acquired by either the for-profit or not-for-profit multihospital systems between the years 1978 through 1982. The impact of system affiliation on acquired hospitals was investigated by looking at average financial performance from the two years before acquisition to 1984/1985. Differences between the performance of hospitals acquired by for-profit and not-for-profit multihospital systems were examined as well. with regard to the latter, major findings revealed both for-profit and not-for-profit multihospital systems increased debt in acquired hospitals and made improvements to plant and equipment. For-profit multihospital systems additionally increased profitability and appeared to operate their acquisitions in a more business-like fashion than the not-for-profit multihospital systems did. Comparing acquired hospitals with matched independents revealed that both for-profit and not-for-profit multihospital facilities used more debt and had newer plant and equipment than the not-for-profit independents did. Multihospital systems decreased liquidity in acquisitions as compared with independent not-for-profit hospitals. Only for-profit multihospital system facilities showed increased profitability, and this was largely due to higher prices. Little or no improvement in efficiency was observed in either for-profit or not-for-profit multi hospital system hospitals; however, the financial indicators used to measure efficiency proved to be problematic.

Comments

Scanned, with permission from the author, from the original print version, which resides in University Archives.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

2-5-2018

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