A method for analyzing the financial viability of a rural provider-based geriatric clinic

J Ambul Care Manage. 2005 Jul-Sep;28(3):254-9. doi: 10.1097/00004479-200507000-00008.

Abstract

Little is known about the financial impact of rural provider-based geriatric outpatient clinics on their parent hospitals since the implementation of the outpatient prospective payment system. In this study, systems theory was used to develop a methodology for determining the financial viability of one such clinic in a rural hospital using data commonly found in rural hospital financial systems. Formulas were developed to identify the overall financial viability and a case-study model was utilized to test the formulas; however, this hospital did not track a key data element, resulting in an incomplete analysis.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Financial Management, Hospital / methods*
  • Geriatrics*
  • Health Services for the Aged / economics*
  • Humans
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / economics*
  • Rural Health Services / economics*
  • United States