Predicting Financial Distress And Bankruptcy For Hospitals

Abstract

Five upstate New York hospitals were examined to identify a common pattern that might portend future financial distress, bankruptcy, or even closure. A four year period was examined for each of the hospitals selected that had either closed, declared bankruptcy or experienced financial distress during the period. Various financial variables were studied, including liquidity, leverage, profitability and efficiency. Utilizing previous studies on predicting financial failure and the findings of this study, various models are developed to determine if such prediction was possible for the five hospitals in this study. This study presents (1) the key indicators that were consistent in rendering the facilities financially distressed, and (2) the four year pattern of financial indicators.