Heart health: volume and revenue growth through clinically integrated medical fitness centers.

The number of hospital sponsored medical fitness centers has grown from fewer than 100 in the early 1980's to nearly 700 today. The reasons for this growth are: They are recognized as part of the continuum of care; They are a powerful vehicle for increasing clinical volumes, revenues, and overall market share; They can generate substantial new revenue, both clinical and retail; and, They boldly proclaim a hospital's commitment to improving the health status of the community. With proper planning and an intense focus on clinical integration, medical fitness centers can assist hospitals in achieving numerous objectives. From a cardiology standpoint, imagine being able to show the community that you have been willing to spend millions of dollars to keep people's hearts healthy. That's market differentiation.