Private Equity Ownership Increases Hospital Complications, Study Finds

Despite a rise in patient complications, death rates during hospital stays slightly decreased, suggesting a shift towards admitting healthier patients.

Private equity ownership of hospitals has led to a 25% increase in hospital-acquired complications for patients, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study found a 27% increase in patient falls, a 38% increase in central line infections, and a doubling of surgical site infections in hospitals owned by private equity firms.
Despite these increases in complications, the study found a slight decrease in the rate of patients who died during their hospital stay, which researchers believe could be due to a shift towards admitting healthier patients.
The study suggests that the increase in complications could be due to staff cuts following acquisition by private equity firms.
The Senate Budget Committee has announced a bipartisan investigation into the impact of private equity purchases on health care facilities.