Hospitals and health systems are struggling to properly discharge patients to appropriate care settings due to a lack of community placement options. This gridlock is causing problems getting patients the right care, at the right location and the right time.

In 2023, an annual total of nearly 195,000 patient days were avoidable and unpaid care. This patient gridlock not only reduces overall capacity for hospital care; it also cost Minnesota hospitals and health systems an estimated $487 million in unpaid care.