Recession having an impact on surgical scheduling.

The New York Times reports that the economic slowdown has affected elective surgery schedules, with many patients delaying needed procedures until their conditions worsen. One recent study found that about one-third of hospitals had seen either a moderate or significant decrease in elective procedures during the previous three months; studies from New Jersey and Georgia indicate that as many as 50 percent of hospitals have noted a change. Ambulatory surgical centers, which had experienced exponential growth over the last decade, are also reporting a slowdown in some markets. The altered surgery pattern may have consequences for healthcare providers as well: according to one healthcare expert, elective operations such as joint replacement surgeries—which are typically covered by higher-paying private insurance plans—may represent only about 10 percent of a hospital’s admissions, but account for 25 percent of its income.

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