Key Takeaways
- In 2021, U.S. hospitals recorded 36.7 million admissions, a 2.4% increase from 2020.
- Community hospitals in the U.S. admitted 33.4 million patients in 2021.
- Average length of stay in U.S. community hospitals was 4.6 days in 2021.
- U.S. hospitals generated $1.3 trillion in net patient revenue in 2021.
- Average cost per inpatient day in U.S. hospitals was $3,025 in 2021.
- U.S. hospital expenses totaled $1.3 trillion in 2021, with 59% from labor.
- U.S. hospitals had 6,093 acute care facilities in 2021.
- 58% of U.S. hospitals were nonprofit in 2021.
- 20% of U.S. hospitals were government-owned in 2021.
- U.S. hospital-acquired infections affected 687,000 patients yearly.
- Hospital readmission rate within 30 days was 15.3% for Medicare in 2021.
- Sepsis mortality in U.S. hospitals was 15-30% in 2021.
- U.S. hospitals employed 6.2 million staff in 2021.
- Registered nurses made up 52% of U.S. hospital workforce in 2021.
- Physicians accounted for 12% of U.S. hospital staff in 2021.
In 2021, US hospitals saw surging demand with 36.7 million admissions, heavier emergency use, and strained capacity.
Related reading
Admissions and Utilization
Admissions and Utilization Interpretation
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Financial Performance Interpretation
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Infrastructure
Infrastructure Interpretation
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Patient Safety and Outcomes
Patient Safety and Outcomes Interpretation
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Workforce Statistics
Workforce Statistics Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). Hospital Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hospital-statistics
Priyanka Sharma. "Hospital Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hospital-statistics.
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "Hospital Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hospital-statistics.
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