Romanian hospitals face chronic underfunding, inefficient resource allocation, and high patient costs, leading to wasted budgets and preventable health risks. Optimizing hospital sizes, improving efficiency, and strengthening primary care could reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. Find out more in the infographic below.
Improving Efficiency in Romanian Hospitals
The healthcare system in Romania faces deep financial and operational inefficiencies that strain hospitals and limit patient care. Addressing these issues requires smarter resource allocation, better planning, and a stronger focus on primary care.
Right-Sizing Hospitals for Better Resource Use
Many hospitals in Romania operate at inefficient scales, leading to wasted resources and avoidable costs. Consolidating underused facilities, redistributing services, and adjusting hospital capacities to match patient demand could improve efficiency. Instead of maintaining oversized hospitals with low occupancy, investments should be redirected toward outpatient care and specialized treatment centers where they are needed most.
Strengthening Primary Care to Reduce Avoidable Admissions
A stronger primary care system can help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. Many hospital stays in Romania result from conditions that could be managed earlier in a clinical setting. Expanding access to general practitioners, investing in preventive care, and improving chronic disease management could reduce pressure on hospitals while lowering costs for both patients and the healthcare system. Tools like Chat4Doc can support primary care providers by offering quick access to accurate medication information.
Improving Bed Management and Discharge Planning
Inefficiencies in hospital bed usage lead to wasted capacity and unnecessary expenses. Plenty of hospitals struggle with long average stays, even when medical necessity does not justify them. Better coordination between hospital departments, faster discharge processes, and improved home care support could free up beds for new patients and reduce unnecessary spending.
Closing the Funding Gap and Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs
Romania allocates a lower percentage of GDP to healthcare compared to other EU countries, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses for patients. Aligning public healthcare spending with European averages, reducing financial barriers to care, and ensuring more efficient use of available funds could improve both hospital performance and patient outcomes.
By addressing these inefficiencies, hospitals can reduce costs, improve patient flow, and deliver better care. Making these changes requires a shift in planning, investment, and management, but the long-term benefits for both hospitals and patients are clear.
