Small hospitals' finances improved in 2005

From Modern Physician:

Median financial ratios for small, not-for-profit hospitals improved in the past year, buoyed by a favorable operating environment and higher reimbursements from insurers and the federal government, according to Standard & Poor's. S&P said rating trends were "generally stable" in 2004 and 2005 for small hospitals -- those with net patient revenue of $75 million or less. Overall, improved medians were most evident at higher-rated hospitals, S&P said. Small hospitals rated A+ to A- had a median profit margin of 6.6% and median operating margins of 4.7% in 2005, up from 2.3% and -0.5%, respectively, in 2003. Larger hospitals had a median profit margin of 5.1% and a median operating margin of 3.1% in 2005.