FTI Consulting has released its annual Hospital Operations Outlook Survey, revealing that U.S. hospitals continue to face significant pressures in managing costs, addressing workforce shortages, and protecting digital infrastructure. The survey, conducted in March 2025, gathered responses from over 200 Senior Hospital Executives. Top concerns include rising labor expenses, extended patient

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wait times, and the persistent risk of cybersecurity incidents. About 34% of leaders highlighted recruitment and staffing costs as their primary financial issue, while 50% named cybersecurity as the top digital threat. Nearly half of the respondents indicated their institutions are not adequately staffed to meet current patient volumes, especially in nursing and specialist roles.

The findings also show a growing shift toward value-based care, with 42% of patients now under such models, driven by goals of better coordination and outcomes. Hospital executives stressed the need to stay adaptable in a healthcare environment shaped by regulatory uncertainty, inflation, and patient demand. Lauren Crawford Shaver, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences for the Americas within the Strategic Communications segment at FTI Consulting, highlighted, “Healthcare leaders are at a crossroads, juggling financial pressures with the need to deliver high-quality care, support hospital staff and improve patient outcomes.” Effective communication with stakeholders remains key to sustaining trust and support. FTI Consulting’s research aims to provide healthcare leaders with a clear understanding of the complex challenges they face and the strategies being adopted to maintain quality care and operational stability.

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