In the United States, between 1990 and 2000, 228 rural hospitals closed, leading to a reduction of 8,228 hospital beds. In 2009, patients living in rural areas of the United States were transferred to other facilities for care at a rate three times higher than that of patients in large central metropolitan areas.
Between 1990 and 2000, the number of rural hospitals shutting down in the United States decreased by 228, resulting in a total loss of 8,228 hospital beds. In 2009, it was noted that patients in rural regions were being transferred to other facilities for care at a rate significantly higher than those in urban central metropolitan areas.