Providers also said they expect patient demand to exceed capacity in psychiatry, orthopedic surgery, cardiology, and gastroenterology in the next six months.
Hospital volumes in the United States are approaching 2019 levels, finds new research from McKinsey & Company.
The firm surveyed leaders at 100 private sector hospitals across the United States in late July and found that ED and inpatient volumes have returned to 2019 levels. Respondents also said they expect those volumes to be roughly 5% to 6% higher in 2022.
In addition, outpatient and procedural volumes in July were 3% to 4% higher than 2019 levels, and leaders expect those to be 6% to 8% higher in 2022 as well.
Here are some other provider insights from the survey:
- More than a third said they expected patient demand to exceed capacity in psychiatry and orthopedic surgery in the next six months.
- About one-fourth said they expected patient demand to exceed capacity in cardiology and gastroenterology.
- Plastic surgery and ophthalmology are seeing decreases in outpatient volume when compared to 2019.
- More than half of respondents said they would expand their clinic hours to increase outpatient access.
- Respondents are also trying to increase outpatient access by hiring more physicians and clinical support staff, increasing patient marketing, and calling patients who have delayed care.
- There are still COVID-19-related shortages of nurses and clinical support staff and patients delaying care.
Alexandra Wilson Pecci is an editor for HealthLeaders.