March 10, 2023 – Based on an annual survey of hospital decision-makers by L.E.K. Consulting, hospitals will continue to shape the priorities of hospitals and health systems for the next few years. Providers said that they will continue to look to their outsourced service providers and strategic suppliers for greater support.
Among the other key priorities for hospitals to address are staffing issues related to turnover and burnout, supply chain disruptions, digital health investments, input cost increases due to inflation and renewed interest in strategic acquisitions.
In fact, according to L.E.K.’s 2022 Annual U.S. Hospital Study, which is based on a survey of nearly 250 hospital and health system executives: 86% of respondents said attracting and retaining nurses is a very important strategic priority, 50% either currently operate a consolidated care center or plan to in the next three years, 80% said they’re interested in pursuing pharmacy as a revenue opportunity.
Among the study’s key findings (see also brief video of report co-authors discussing the study):
- Hospitals continue to focus on key operational needs – specifically on staffing and the repercussions of inflation, which have become predominant new priorities.
- Supply chain cost containment continues to be an area of focus, with renewed emphasis on the strategic importance of the supply chain function.
- Hospitals continue to invest in digital health (particularly telehealth and remote care) to support the changing patient engagement models and to enhance operational efficiency.
- Consolidation continues, albeit at a slower pace as hospitals shift focus back to optimizing their current operations rather than pursuing acquisitions.
- The emphasis on leveraging support from supplier partners increases as hospitals navigate the challenges listed above.