Small and Rural Hospital Facts

Challenges in business are a given, but it’s our response to them that defines our trajectory. Looking beyond the immediate obstacle, there lies a realm of opportunity and learning.

In 2025, 35% (1796) of all U.S. Community hospitals were designated as rural and about 46 million people live in rural areas according to American Hospital Association
Based on 2019 data, 47% of rural hospitals have 25 beds or less and 18% have between 25 to 50 beds.
This represents 65% of 1796 or 1167 hospitals where there may be a potential opportunity to conserve resources
According to ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings: Clinical services and workforce-2021, only 23% of hospitals had pharmacists assigned to antimicrobial stewardship, only 38% had pharmacists assigned to critical care, and only 49% had pharmacists assigned to medical/surgical units.
Only 45% of hospitals with less than 50 beds collected data demonstrating the value of pharmacist interventions compared to over 80% in hospitals with 100 beds or more.
Patients in rural areas typically suffer from more co-morbidities and are at high risk of poly-pharmacy, requiring pharmacist interventions and lifestyle counseling.