Size not enough for healthcare facilities in uncertain times

In an uncertain healthcare industry, the hospital sector in Houston appears to have mostly weathered the storms, but size isn't a guarantee of success, according to an article on the Houston Chronicle website. 

The city's medical infrastructure has been hit by layoffs as well as consolidations, acquisitions and an overall rethinking of healthcare delivery, the article said. 

While industry experts still see Houston as "hospital-centric," the future appears to be in smaller regional centers. Healthcare systems must must be nimble enough to react to the shifting politics of healthcare.

"Health systems have often reminded me of Pac-Man — always absorbing another hospital or system to be the biggest, which was considered better. But now bigger isn't good enough. Now systems have to deal with outside forces that are beyond their control, while making sure they are more coordinated and cost-effective." Beth Young, senior vice president at Colliers, said in the article.

Read the article.