Improving the financial viability of primary care health centers

• Published in: Hospital & health services administration Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 117 - 131
• Main Authors: Finkler, S A, Knickman, J R, Hanson, K L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 1994
• Subjects: Community Health Centers - economics; Community Health Centers - organization & administration; Community Health Centers - statistics & numerical data; Efficiency, Organizational - statistics & numerical data; Financial Audit - statistics & numerical data; Financing, Organized; Foundations; Health administration; Management Audit - statistics & numerical data; Pilot Projects; Primary Health Care - economics; Primary Health Care - organization & administration; Program Evaluation - statistics & numerical data; Staff Development; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; United States
• ISSN: 8750-3735

This article presents findings from a national demonstration program to improve the long-term financial viability of small not-for-profit primary care health centers. The program initiatives and their implementation are described in some detail. A standard pre/post study design was used to measure the impact of the initiatives on general outcome measures, financial ratios, and the utilization of management techniques. Overall, demonstration centers showed improvement over the study period. Notable short-term improvements included significant growth in the volume of patient visits and increased profit. Observed changes also revealed an increased use of sophisticated management techniques, expected to positively affect longer-term financial health. The findings suggest that improving the financial viability of health centers need not be expensive.