PRINCETON, NJ – The economic downturn continues to impact New Jersey hospitals through the loss of jobs and services, according to survey results released this week by the New Jersey Hospital Association.

The NJHA's second annual survey of acute care hospitals revealed that nearly half of the state's hospitals reduced jobs by laying off employees (43 percent) and eliminating vacant positions (48 percent) in 2009.

One out of three New Jersey hospitals froze employee wages in 2009, and about one quarter of hospitals implemented a hiring freeze last year. Nearly one quarter of hospitals curtailed services in 2009, up from 17 percent in 2008. Eliminated programs included pediatric inpatient services and behavioral health services.

In other survey results, more than half of the state's hospitals said they have delayed building and improvement projects as access to capital tightened and the cost of borrowing funds increased.

In addition, 82 percent of hospitals said they experienced an increase in charity care patients in 2009, and every hospital reported a decline in fundraising and philanthropy to support healthcare initiatives for the community.

The results were based on survey findings from 43 percent of the state's acute care hospitals. The survey was conducted in December 2009.

Betsy Ryan, president of the NJHA, said the results echo the findings of a survey conducted in December 2008 and January 2009 as the recession was beginning to impact the state. Those results showed that 45 percent of the state's hospitals had reported layoffs in 2008, 48 percent had eliminated vacant positions and 13 percent had implemented a hiring freeze.

In one departure from last year's findings, hospital use rebounded in 2009. About 61 percent of hospitals said their admissions increased in 2009, while 67 percent said they had experienced an increase in elective procedures. Both areas took a hit in last year's survey.

Emergency department visits also increased for 91 percent of hospitals in 2009.