Vital Signs 2022

VITAL SIGNS

Patient Volumes Rise Across Outpatient Specialties, While Inpatient Volumes Have Been Mixed

The point of care delivery for patients has changed, as many have begun to seek a variety of treatments at outpatient clinics. Historically, outpatient facilities were viewed as options for minimally invasive procedures. Now, patients increasingly seek the convenience and flexibility of outpatient clinics that may be closer and more convenient to where they live and work. The Advisory Board has forecasted that total inpatient volumes are expected to dip slightly— by negative 1.1% over the 2021–2026 timeframe—

while outpatient volumes are expected to grow by a robust 7.3% in the same time span. Inpatient volume decline is forecasted to be driven by losses in orthopedics, obstetrics, oncology and spinal specialties. While outpatient volume is net positive across specialties, the big winners are projected to be psychiatry, spine, orthopedics, vascular and cardiology. Clearly from this trend, outpatient operations are expected to capture some market share of procedures once deemed “inpatient” at health systems.

Five-Year Growth Outlook Favors Ambulatory Providers

Inpatient Volume Growth, 2021-2026 Advisory Board’s Market Scenario Planner

Outpatient Volume Growth, 2021-2026 Advisory Board’s Market Scenario Planner

Overall

Overall

-1.1%

7.3%

Cardiology

8.3%

Cardiac Services

1.2%

Vascular

12.1%

General Medicine

2.1%

E&M

6.0%

General Surgery

-0.8%

General Surgery

1.7%

Neurosurgery

9.3%

Oncology

2.9%

Oncology

-3.4%

Orthopedics

10.0%

Spine

-2.3%

Spine

11.6%

Orthopedics

-5.7%

Radiology

4.1%

Obstetrics

-4.9%

Psychiatry

18.7%

-8%

2%

12%

-10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15%

Source: Revista Med, RCA, Cushman & Wakefield Research

Source: Revista Med, RCA, Cushman & Wakefield Research

VITAL SIGNS 2022: PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDINGS