In 2024, Swiss hospitals increased the number of care, but productivity stagnates, according to the expert company PWC. The audit firm recommends betting on innovation, in particular digitization, to improve work organization.
ats
The operational profitability of hospitals reached 4.5% last year, almost a percentage point better than in 2023, indicates the latest analysis of Swiss PWC on the financial health of hospitals, published Monday.
The main reason for this improvement lies in the increase in the number of services, up 2.4% in the stationary field, and about 5% in the outpatient field. On the other hand, productivity increased only by 0.3% last year, a value significantly lower than the long -term average.
The Expert-Consulting Office notes the lack of investments in information technology, infrastructure and modernization of processes. He lists as a solution the digital planning of appointments, the management of admissions and outings or the standardization of treatments.
Record support for owners
Finally, PwC notes the fragile financial situation of the establishments. There have been rates increases in recent years, but cumulative inflation has reduced its effects. Result: hospitals fail to fully compensate for the increase in personnel, energy and equipment.
The financial contribution of cantons and other donors is therefore essential. The owners provided record support totaling more than a billion francs in 2024, making it possible to stabilize the balance sheets.
“But they do not replace the necessary long -term adjustments in terms of the process and the structure of hospitals,” said PWC.
The study is based on the annual accounts of 44 acute care hospitals of different sizes, distributed in almost all the cantons. She also reviewed twelve psychiatric establishments.
