In 2025, hospitals continue to face mounting pressure from rising patient volumes. According to FTI Consulting’s recent Hospital Operations Outlook Survey, 48% of hospital leaders believe their facilities are not equipped to meet current demand. This ongoing challenge is closely tied to workforce shortages and operational inefficiencies. In this guide, we break down the top findings and explore how hospital leaders are responding through long-term staffing strategies, digital innovation, and outsourcing.
Patient Volumes Are Overwhelming Hospitals
FTI Consulting’s survey, conducted in March 2025, included responses from over 200 hospital executives. A staggering 48% of leaders stated their hospitals are not adequately equipped to handle today’s patient volumes. This aligns closely with 2024’s report, which saw 49% echoing the same concern—signaling that the issue has not improved year over year.
Specialist and Nurse Shortages Are the Top Pain Points
The staffing crisis remains a critical concern. Executives pointed to a persistent lack of specialists (49%) and nurses (46%) as the leading gaps in their workforce. These shortages directly impact patient care quality and operational efficiency.
Temporary Staffing on the Rise
Nearly 70% of hospital leaders have increased their use of agency staffing over the past year—a 13% jump from the previous year. This trend reflects a reactive approach to fill critical roles quickly, but it’s also unsustainable due to high costs and turnover rates.
Hospitals Invest in Long-Term Workforce Sustainability
Forward-thinking hospitals are implementing sustainable workforce solutions. Around 80% of respondents reported already rolling out or planning to roll out strategies such as:
- Digital tools to reduce administrative burden (84%)
- Restructured operating models (83%)
- Hire-to-retire workforce planning (82%)
- Burnout prevention programs (81%)
- Enhanced benefits packages (79%)
These efforts aim to improve clinician satisfaction, retention, and performance.
Recruitment, Retention, and Development Are the Bottlenecks
While long-term plans are in motion, immediate challenges persist. More than half of executives highlighted pain points in:
- Recruitment (53%)
- Retention (53%)
- Professional development (57%)
Addressing these areas is essential to reducing turnover and ensuring consistent care delivery.
Hospitals Lean Into Outsourcing for Efficiency
Outsourcing is emerging as a viable strategy for non-clinical functions. 45% of executives have already outsourced services, and another 45% are considering it. The most commonly outsourced areas include:
- Nutrition services (56%)
- Supply chain management (49%)
- Technology services (48%)
This shift allows hospitals to redirect internal resources toward direct patient care.
The Path Forward for Hospital Operations
As patient volumes continue to rise and workforce shortages persist, hospitals must evolve their operating models. From strategic outsourcing and digital transformation to workforce development, hospital leaders are exploring sustainable approaches to stabilize operations. While the numbers from FTI Consulting’s survey highlight ongoing struggles, they also point toward a future of innovation and adaptation—one that includes Rethinking Nurse Staffing with AI in Healthcare Staffing as a game-changer for healthcare leaders.
Follow us on Social Media:
