Methods of reporting hospital financial information.

Various methods for reporting financial information in a hospital are discussed. Both statistical and financial reporting are used in management decision making. Financial statements, such as the hospital balance sheet and the statement of revenues and expenses, constitute the majority of management information prepared within the hospital's finance department. Financial indicators derived from these statements are explained. Accounts receivable, budget, and cash reports are also discussed. Several types of reports that analyze financial information by diagnosis-related groups are described, and the level of detail needed in these reports is discussed. Management of hospital financial operations under new hospital reimbursement systems will require more specialized types of management information and reporting. Through the marriage of medical and financial data, hospitals will have the information needed to manage their product--health care--in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.