Healthcare leaders are navigating a rapidly changing anesthesia landscape.
Workforce shortages, evolving practice models and new economic realities are reshaping how hospitals and health systems approach anesthesia coverage, operational performance and long-term sustainability. Download the guide to better understand what's driving these changes and the strategic considerations influencing anesthesia partnerships today.
Anesthesia has become a strategic priority.
Across the country, hospitals, health systems and ASCs are reevaluating their anesthesia strategies. Staffing shortages, rising costs and changing clinician employment trends have made anesthesia coverage one of the most complex issues healthcare leaders face today.
The challenge is no longer limited to maintaining coverage. Leaders must also consider patient access, OR performance, financial sustainability, workforce stability and the structure of the anesthesia group supporting their organization.
What's changing:
The market forces reshaping anesthesia.
Demand is increasing
Anesthesia demand continues to grow as surgical volumes rise, ASCs expand and more procedures rely on anesthesia support. The guide notes that U.S. surgery volumes increased 31.5% between 2000 and 2020, while the population grew 18%.
Economics are shifting
For many hospitals, anesthesia services no longer operate under the same financial assumptions they once did. Reimbursement pressure, rising compensation and higher staffing costs are changing the economics of anesthesia coverage.
Staffing remains constrained
Hospitals and anesthesia groups are competing for a limited pool of clinicians. According to the guide, the percentage of facilities reporting an anesthesia staffing shortage increased from 35% in early 2020 to 78% in late 2022.
Practice models differ
Anesthesiology practices vary by ownership, governance, hospital affiliation, scale and specialty focus. Those differences can affect how well an anesthesia group aligns with a hospital’s goals for coverage, cost containment, quality and performance.
Inside the guide: Explore today's anesthesia landscape.
Inside the guide, we explore:
- The market forces reshaping anesthesia Why demand continues to rise
- What is driving anesthesia workforce shortages
- How reimbursement dynamics affect coverage
- How anesthesiology practice models differ
- Why physician ownership can influence engagement and performance
- What healthcare leaders should consider when evaluating future strategy
Download your anesthesia
planning guide now
Get the guide to understand the market forces, practice models and strategic considerations shaping anesthesia today.
Why it matters
for healthcare leaders
Anesthesia plays a central role in how hospitals serve patients, manage operating room performance and support surgical growth. As anesthesia becomes more complex, the right strategy can help hospitals strengthen access to care, support clinicians, improve efficiency and build a more sustainable model for the future.
