Changes in hospital adverse events and patient outcomes associated with private equity acquisition.
Changes in hospital leadership and ownership can impact patient safety and health outcomes. This study compared hospital-acquired adverse events among Medicare patients treated at private equity-acquired hospitals versus matched controls over a ten-year period. Researchers found that Medicare patients experienced a 25% increase in hospital-acquired conditions when treated at private equity hospitals. Findings indicate a significant increase in in-hospital falls and healthcare-associated infections (i.e., central-line associated blood stream infections, surgical site infections) despite private equity hospitals placing fewer central lines overall and having lower surgical volume. There was no change in 30-day mortality after hospital discharge, but in-hospital mortality decreased slightly at private equity versus control hospitals.