Core Viewpoint - County-level hospitals play a crucial role in the integration of urban and rural healthcare, with over 60% of evaluated county hospitals reaching the level of tertiary hospitals, but there are still gaps in achieving the goal of "major illnesses not leaving the county" [1][4]. Group 1: Current Status of County Hospitals - In the past year, the average number of surgical services performed by each county hospital has decreased, despite an increase in the number of patients referred [1][4]. - The evaluation by the National Health Commission indicates that while the specialized departments and equipment in county hospitals are improving, there are still significant weaknesses, particularly in mental health and other specialized services [1][4][14]. - Approximately 42.40% of county hospitals have not performed basic standard-required surgeries, such as tracheal foreign body removal, and 71.15% cannot manage severe mental disorders [13][14]. Group 2: Evaluation Results - In 2024, 2059 county hospitals were evaluated, with a coverage rate of 98.93%. About 93.35% met the basic standards, and 63.57% met the recommended standards, showing an increase from 2023 [4][5]. - The average number of clinical pathways per county hospital increased to 152, indicating a strengthening of treatment capabilities for common diseases [6]. - The average annual revenue for each county hospital was approximately 354 million yuan, with medical service income rising to 33.59% of total medical income [9]. Group 3: Challenges and Recommendations - There is a phenomenon of "virtual obesity" in some county hospitals, where the service capacity does not match the number of beds, leading to a need for focused investment in specialized departments [2][11]. - The National Health Commission emphasizes the need to strengthen weak specialty construction and improve the treatment capabilities for common and local diseases [14]. - The issue of urban hospitals attracting patients from county hospitals remains a challenge, with a decrease in the proportion of surgical cases in county hospitals [11][13].

Core Insights - The overall surgical procedures and average number of surgeries per county hospital have decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year, indicating challenges in achieving the goal of "major illnesses not leaving the county" [1][12] - Despite improvements in the medical service capabilities of county hospitals, significant gaps remain, particularly in specialized departments and the ability to manage severe mental health cases [1][14] Summary by Sections Medical Service Capability - Over 60% of county hospitals have reached the level of tertiary hospitals, with an increase in the number of hospitals meeting basic and recommended standards [3] - The average number of clinical pathways per county hospital has increased to 152, up by 6 from 2023 [7] Surgical Procedures - The proportion of discharged patients undergoing surgery in county hospitals has decreased to 22.27%, a drop of 1.54 percentage points from 2023, with an average of 5,758 surgeries per hospital, down by 56 [12][11] Financial Performance - The average annual revenue for county hospitals is approximately 354 million yuan, reflecting a growth of 1.13% from the previous year, with medical service income increasing to 33.59% of total medical income [11] Staffing and Equipment - Each county hospital has an average of 660 health technicians, with over 30% being licensed physicians, and a significant portion holding senior titles [4] - The configuration rate for essential specialized equipment has improved, with the number of hospitals lacking certain equipment decreasing [3] Challenges and Areas for Improvement - There is a notable "virtual obesity" phenomenon in some county hospitals, where service capacity does not match the number of beds, indicating a need for focused resource allocation [2] - The lack of specialized services in areas such as mental health and infectious diseases remains a critical issue, with many hospitals unable to meet basic standards [14][13]