Outpatients surgeries at Chestnut Hill Hospital jumped in the first three months of this year compared to last year, according the financial results posted this week by Temple University Health System, whichThe upswing in surgeries at Chestnut Hill comes as Temple’s overall health system faces a general decline in patient visits at a time of rising expenses and staffing shortages.
“We have been focusing on growth,” Nick Barcellona, Temple University Health System’s chief financial officer, told municipal bond analysts on a conference call Wednesday discussing Temple’s latest financial results.Planned areas of expansion at Chestnut Hill include urology, behavioral health, cancer services, and gastrointestinal services.
Temple officials cited a 2.5% decline in emergency department visits, an 8% decline in inpatient discharges, the persistent need for high-cost contract staff to fill vacancies, higher wages overall, and jumps in drug prices as big factors in the $54 million operating loss for the nine-month period.