Abstract
This study quantifies the value that several hospitals in a hospital system have on their local communities. Also included is an analysis of the types of value-added services and resources offered by the hospitals. The hospitals are assessed in 3 arenas: as an employer, as a major provider of healthcare services, and as a contributor to the quality of life of the region through the involvement of its employees in community services activities. The results indicate that the hospital system contributes almost $1.7 billion (or 6.6%) toward the $25 billion local economy.
THIS RESEARCH EFFORT provides a comprehensive picture of the financial impact of one hospital system (which shall remain anonymous per the agreement between the researchers and the hospital) on its local market or region. For purposes of assessment, the hospitals' contributions can be divided into 3 macrocategories: (1) as a major healthcare provider, (2) as a large employer, and (3) as an active leader in the community. These categories are distinct, yet they often overlap. This interrelatedness both increases and enhances the impact that the system has on its local market.
This research was guided by the following hypothetical question: "If the hospitals left the local area, what would be the effect on the region?" This project examined multiple hospital and ambulatory sites under one parent organization. All of these health delivery sites (collectively referred to in this paper as the "Hospital") are located in the central Florida counties of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole.
The timeliness and importance of this study are highlighted by 3 factors: (1) the Hospital provides a significant amount of both funded and uncompensated care to the patient population in its market area, (2) the Hospital often operates with an occupancy rate at or near 100% in several of its inpatient facilities, and (3) among all of Florida's major cities, the Greater Orlando area (Orlando is the largest city in central Florida) is the only region lacking a commitment of public funding for indigent health services. These factors point to a need for the Hospital to understand its financial impact on the region so that its executives can create viable strategic initiatives that will permit the Hospital to continue providing the high level of quality healthcare that its patients have come to value and expect.
The results of this analysis suggest strongly that the Hospital does, indeed, represent one of the primary contributors to the economy of the region. The value, for enhancing the quality of life through world-class healthcare and providing services to all persons in need, regardless of ability to pay, suggests strongly that the loss of this resource to the central Florida community would severely impair both the growth plans and the economic development potential of this region.