Study ties for-profit hospital ownership to higher mortality and readmissions
A Penn Nursing-led study compared outcomes at 143 for-profit and 798 nonprofit acute care hospitals in 10 states, covering more than 1.17 million patients. For-profit hospitals had about 11 more deaths per 1,000 medical admissions and higher 30-day readmission rates. Nurses there more often reported unsafe workloads, and staffing differences explained part of the mortality gap.
A Penn Nursing-led team examined over 1.17 million patients in 143 for-profit and 798 nonprofit acute-care hospitals across ten states. In for-profit facilities, medical admissions had about 11 more deaths per 1,000, and surgical admissions five more per 1,000. Thirty-day readmissions were also higher: 2.04 percentage points for medical patients and 1.76 percentage points for surgical patients. Staffing differences helped explain part of the mortality gap.
Nurses at for-profit hospitals more often described unsafe patient loads, with 71% saying assignments were unsafe. They reported greater burnout and were less willing to recommend their hospital for care or work. The authors suggest minimum safe staffing rules and clearer ownership disclosure could improve outcomes. Published in Medical Care.
The findings may intensify scrutiny of hospital ownership and staffing as patients, nurses, and administrators weigh quality against financial pressures. Patients in for-profit facilities could face higher risks, while nurses may experience heavier workloads and burnout. Greater transparency and staffing standards might influence hiring, retention, and where people seek care. Policymakers, hospital leaders, and communities may use such evidence in debates over oversight, though causal conclusions and broader applicability would require further study.