100+ Hospital Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Hospitals play a vital role in our healthcare system, providing patients with the care and treatment they need. Here are 100+ hospital statistics and facts that you need to know:

Alan Hollander
November 15, 2023

100+ Hospital Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Hospitals play a vital role in our healthcare system, providing patients with the care and treatment they need. Here are 100+ hospital statistics and facts that you need to know:

10 Key Hospital Statistics

  • In 2021, there were approximately 6,146 hospitals in the United States.
  • As of 2020, there were over 931,000 staffed beds in U.S. hospitals.
  • The average length of a hospital stay is 4.5 days.
  • In 2021, hospitals are projected to spend over $1 trillion on operational costs.
  • In 2021, there were over 36 million hospital discharges in the United States.
  • In 2020, U.S. hospitals spent an average of $2,424 per day on each staffed bed.
  • The most common reason for hospitalization in the United States is giving birth, accounting for over 3.7 million hospital stays in 2019.
  • Hospital-acquired infections affect approximately 1 in 31 patients in U.S. hospitals each year.
  • In 2020, there were over 5.2 million hospital admissions related to mental health or substance abuse disorders.
  • The largest hospital in the United States by number of beds is the Flagship Hospital of the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which has over 1,500 beds.
100+ Hospital Statistics & Facts: How Many Hospitals Are There?

Hospital Patient Demographics

  • In 2019, 60% of hospital patients were female and 40% were male.
  • Patients aged 65 years and older accounted for 34% of all hospital stays in 2019.
  • In the same year, patients aged 18 to 44 years accounted for 31% of all hospital stays.
  • Non-Hispanic whites accounted for the largest percentage of hospitalized patients at 56%, followed by non-Hispanic blacks at 19%, Hispanics at 16%, and other racial/ethnic groups at 9%.
  • Medicare was the primary expected payer for approximately half (48%) of all hospital stays in the United States in 2019, followed by private insurance (39%), Medicaid (10%), and other sources (3%).

U.S Nongovernment Not-for-Profit Community Hospitals by State

  • Alabama - 27
  • Alaska - 3
  • Arizona - 23
  • Arkansas - 24
  • California - 166
  • Colorado - 23
  • Connecticut - 14
  • Delaware - 4
  • District of Columbia - 4
  • Florida - 57
  • Georgia - 50
  • Hawaii - 5
  • Idaho - 17
  • Illinois - 66
  • Indiana - 36
  • Iowa - 48
  • Kansas - 59
  • Kentucky - 28
  • Louisiana - 28
  • Maine - 15
  • Maryland - 20
  • Massachusetts - 24
  • Michigan - 51
  • Minnesota - 41
  • Mississippi - 34
  • Missouri - 66
  • Montana - 21
  • Nebraska - 34
  • Nevada - 8
  • New Hampshire - 11
  • New Jersey - 36
  • New Mexico - 22
  • New York - 68
  • North Carolina - 56
  • North Dakota - 20
  • Ohio - 94
  • Oklahoma -33
  • Oregon - 13
  • Pennsylvania - 103
  • Rhode Island - 3
  • South Carolina - 31
  • South Dakota - 26
  • Tennessee - 40
  • Texas - 150
  • Utah - 18
  • Vermont - 6
  • Virginia -38
  • Washington - 23
  • West Virginia - 10
  • Wisconsin - 32
  • Wyoming - 12

Hospital Quality & Safety Measures

  • In 2020, there were an estimated 1.7 million healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals.
  • The most common healthcare-associated infections are catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections.
  • Hospital-acquired infections lead to approximately 99,000 deaths each year.
  • In 2020, the average hospital readmission rate within 30 days of discharge was 15.6%.
  • The most common reasons for hospital readmissions are heart failure, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • In 2021, approximately 90% of hospitals used electronic health records (EHRs) to store patient information.
Chart: The Countries With The Most Hospital Beds | Statista

Number of Federal Government Hospitals

  • As of 2021, there are 215 federal government hospitals in the United States.
  • These hospitals account for approximately 6% of all hospitals in the country.
  • The majority of federal government hospitals are managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which operates over 170 medical centers and more than 1,000 outpatient clinics across the country.
  • The Department of Defense operates 61 federal government hospitals worldwide.
  • The Indian Health Service (IHS) operates 26 federal government hospitals and provides healthcare services to Native American tribes and Alaskan Natives.
  • The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates 11 federal government hospitals that provide medical care to inmates in the federal prison system.
  • VA also operates over 300 community-based outpatient clinics across the country to provide primary care services to veterans.

Hospital Workforce

  • In 2020, there were over 5 million healthcare workers in the United States.
  • Registered nurses make up the largest group of healthcare workers, with over 3 million employed in 2020.
  • The average salary for a registered nurse in the United States is $77,460.
  • In 2020, there were approximately 22,000 physician assistants employed in U.S. hospitals.
  • The average salary for a physician assistant in the United States is $112,260.
  • In 2020, there were over 1.1 million hospital support staff in the United States, including janitors, food service workers, and administrative assistants.

Community Hospitals with the Highest Number of Staffed Beds

  • Texas: 25.2% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • California: 10.9% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Florida: 7.4% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Illinois: 3.8% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Ohio: 3.6% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Pennsylvania: 3.5% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • New York: 3.4% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Michigan: 3.1% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Georgia and North Carolina (tied): each state has 2.9% of all staffed beds in community hospitals

Community Hospitals with the Lowest Number of Staffed Beds

  • Vermont: 0.2% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Rhode Island: 0.3% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • District of Columbia: 0.4% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Delaware: 0.4% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Wyoming and Hawaii (tied): each state has 0.5% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Alaska: 0.6% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • North Dakota and South Dakota (tied): each state has 0.7% of all staffed beds in community hospitals
  • Montana and New Hampshire (tied): each state has 0.8% of all staffed beds in community hospitals

Top Hospitals with Highest Number of Admissions

  • Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland accounts for 57,428 hospital admissions annually.
  • Florida Hospital Orlando in Orlando, Florida accounts for 52,811 hospital admissions annually.
  • New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, New York accounts for 47,140 hospital admissions annually.
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts accounts for 46,812 hospital admissions annually.
  • Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota accounts for 45,902 hospital admissions annually.

Number of Community Hospitals in Rural Areas

  • In the United States, there are 1,825 community hospitals located in rural areas.
  • These rural hospitals account for approximately 30% of all community hospitals in the country.
  • The majority of these rural hospitals are located in the South and Midwest regions of the United States.
  • In rural areas, there are an average of 3.4 hospital beds per 1,000 people compared to urban areas where there are an average of 4.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people.
  • Approximately 20% of Americans live in rural areas but these communities only have access to around 10% of physicians and specialists in the country.
105 Hospital Statistics & Facts: How Many Hospitals Are There?

Hospital Finances

  • In 2019, U.S. hospitals generated over $1 trillion in revenue.
  • The average cost of a hospital stay in the United States is $10,000.
  • Medicare and Medicaid account for approximately 60% of hospital revenue.
  • In 2019, the average profit margin for U.S. hospitals was 6.7%.

Top 10 Hospitals in the U.S

  • Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota - Ranked #1 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 100 out of 100.
  • Cleveland Clinic, Ohio - Ranked #2 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 98.4 out of 100.
  • UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles - Ranked #3 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 97.4 out of 100.
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore - Ranked #4 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 96.9 out of 100.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston - Ranked #5 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 96.8 out of 100.
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles - Ranked #6 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 95.9 out of 100.
  • New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, New York City - Ranked #7 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 95.6 out of 100.
  • Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital, Stanford, California - Ranked #8 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 95.3 out of 100.
  • Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St.Louis-Missouri - Ranked #9 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 94.8 out of 100.
  • Mayo Clinic-Phoenix- Arizona -Ranked #10 in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll with a score of 94 .6 out of 100.

Hospital Technology

  • In 2020, 76% of U.S. hospitals used telehealth to connect with patients.
  • The global telemedicine market is projected to reach $185.6 billion by 2026.
  • In 2020, 58% of U.S. hospitals used artificial intelligence (AI) to improve patient care.
  • The global healthcare AI market is projected to reach $19.25 billion by 2026.
  • In 2020, 81% of U.S. hospitals used social media to connect with patients and promote healthcare services.

Hospital Trends

  • In 2020, virtual hospitals emerged as a new trend in healthcare, allowing patients to receive care from home.
  • In 2019, 20% of U.S. hospitals were part of a healthcare system.
  • Healthcare systems are expected to grow, with 50% of U.S. hospitals projected to be part of a system by 2029.
  • In 2020, 30% of U.S. hospitals had implemented value-based care programs.

Hospital Rankings

  • In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Mayo Clinic as the best hospital in the United States.
  • The Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and UCLA Medical Center round out the top five hospitals in the United States.
  • In 2020, U.S. News & World Report also ranked the top hospitals by specialty, including cancer, cardiology, and neurology.

Hospital Challenges

  • In 2020, 50% of U.S. hospitals reported a shortage of healthcare workers.
  • Rural hospitals face unique challenges, including funding, staffing, and access to care.
  • In 2020, 82 rural hospitals closed in the United States.
  • In 2020, 25% of U.S. hospitals reported a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospital COVID-19 Impact

  • In 2020, U.S. hospitals treated over 36 million COVID-19 patients.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shortage of ventilators and other medical equipment.
  • In 2020, U.S. hospitals implemented new safety measures, including COVID-19 testing, screening, and visitor restrictions.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased stress and burnout among healthcare workers.

Hospital Deaths Statistics and Information

  • In 2020, there were approximately 35.3 million hospitalizations in the United States.
  • The overall death rate for hospitalized patients was 2.8%.
  • The death rate was highest for patients aged 85 years and older, at 11.5%.
  • The death rate was lowest for patients aged 18-29 years, at 0.3%.
  • The most common causes of hospital deaths were sepsis, pneumonia, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • In-hospital mortality rates varied widely by state, ranging from a low of 1.7% in Hawaii to a high of 4.2% in Mississippi.
  • In-hospital mortality rates also varied by hospital type, with teaching hospitals having higher mortality rates than non-teaching hospitals (3.1% vs 2.6%).
Infographic

Most Expensive Medical Treatments in the World

  • Gene Therapy: The cost of gene therapy ranges from $500,000 to $2.1 million, making it one of the most expensive medical treatments in the world.
  • CAR-T Therapy: The average cost of CAR-T therapy is around $475,000 per treatment.
  • Enzyme Replacement Therapy: The annual cost for enzyme replacement therapy can range from $100,000 to over $400,000 per patient.
  • Immunotherapy: The average cost of immunotherapy can range from $100,000 to over $200,000 per year.
  • Proton Beam Therapy: The cost of proton beam therapy can range from $30,000 to over $150,000 per treatment depending on the type and location of cancer being treated.
  • Stem Cell Transplantation: The average cost for stem cell transplantation can range from $350,000 to over $800,000 depending on factors such as the type of transplant and length of hospital stay.
  • Robotic Surgery: While not necessarily a medical treatment in itself, robotic surgery is often used for complex procedures and can cost up to twice as much as traditional surgery methods.

Global Hospital Surgery Statistics

  • In 2021, it was estimated that there were over 300 million surgeries performed worldwide.
  • The United States accounts for approximately 21% of all surgeries performed globally.
  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most common surgeries worldwide are cesarean sections, followed by appendectomies and cataract surgeries.
  • In the United States, the most common surgeries are joint replacements, gallbladder removals, and hernia repairs.
  • The state with the highest rate of surgeries per capita is Vermont, with 7.9 procedures per 100 people.
  • The state with the lowest rate of surgeries per capita is Hawaii, with only 3 procedures per 100 people.
  • California has the highest number of surgeries performed overall, accounting for approximately 15% of all procedures in the United States.
  • Other states with high numbers of surgeries include Texas (11%), Florida (8%), New York (7%), and Pennsylvania (4%).
  • Globally, Africa has the lowest rate of surgical procedures at only 295 procedures per 100,000 population.
  • South-East Asia has the second-lowest rate at approximately 400 procedures per 100,000 population.
  • Europe has the highest rate of surgical procedures at approximately 1,200 procedures per 100,000 population followed by North America at approximately 1,050 procedures per 100,000 population.
  • In low-income countries, only one-third of surgical patients have access to safe surgery and anesthesia care according to WHO statistics from recent years.

Hospital Mental Health

  • In 2020, 1 in 5 Americans reported experiencing a mental health condition.
  • 56% of U.S. hospitals have mental health services available on site.
  • In 2020, 45% of U.S. hospitals reported a shortage of mental health professionals.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Hospital Innovation

  • In 2020, U.S. hospitals used 3D printing to create medical devices, prosthetics, and surgical models.
  • The global 3D printing healthcare market is projected to reach $2.3 billion by 2022.
  • In 2020, U.S. hospitals used precision medicine to personalize treatment based on a patient's genetics and other factors.
  • The global precision medicine market is projected to reach $141.36 billion by 2026.

Doctors, Nurses to Patients Ratio

  • In the United States, there are approximately 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people.
  • The ratio of nurses to patients varies depending on the hospital and region, but on average there are about 7 nurses per 1,000 people in the United States.
  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a ratio of 1 doctor and 3 nurses for every 1,000 people is considered adequate for basic healthcare needs.
  • However, many countries struggle to meet this ratio, with some African countries having as few as 0.03 doctors and 0.8 nurses per 1,000 people.
  • In some areas of the United States, such as rural communities, there may be a shortage of healthcare professionals which can result in higher patient-to-provider ratios.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has also placed additional strain on healthcare systems worldwide and has highlighted the importance of having an adequate number of healthcare providers to meet patient needs.

FAQs

How are hospitals ranked in the United States?

Hospitals in the United States are ranked based on factors such as patient outcomes, safety, and reputation. U.S. News & World Report is a commonly used source for hospital rankings.

What is the average cost of a hospital stay in the United States?

The average cost of a hospital stay in the United States varies depending on several factors such as location, length of stay, and type of care needed. In 2019, the average cost was approximately $15,734 per stay.

How many hospitals are there in the United States?

As of 2021, there are over 6,000 hospitals in the United States.

What is the most common reason for hospitalization in the United States?

According to data from 2018, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions were among the most common reasons for hospitalization in the United States followed by respiratory infections and heart disease.

How do hospitals address language barriers with non-English speaking patients?

Many hospitals use interpreters or translation services to communicate with non-English speaking patients. Some hospitals also have staff members who speak multiple languages or provide materials and resources in different languages.

How do hospitals ensure patient privacy and confidentiality?

Hospitals are required to follow strict regulations regarding patient privacy and confidentiality under HIPAA laws. This includes obtaining patient consent before sharing any personal health information and implementing measures to protect electronic health records from unauthorized access or disclosure.

What is considered a "never event" in healthcare?

A never event refers to a serious medical error that should never occur during medical treatment such as wrong-site surgery or leaving a foreign object inside a patient's body after surgery.

How do hospitals handle medical emergencies outside of regular business hours?

Most hospitals have emergency departments that are open 24/7 to handle medical emergencies outside of regular business hours. Some hospitals also have urgent care clinics or telehealth services for non-emergency medical concerns outside of regular business hours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hospitals play a critical role in our healthcare system, providing care and treatment to millions of patients each year. These 100+ hospital statistics and facts provide a glimpse into the challenges, opportunities, and innovations that shape the future of healthcare.

Sources