The rating on Northern Hospital District of Surry County (NHDSC), N.C.'s bonds reflects improved utilization coupled with a dominant market position, and improving financial performance. The 110-staffed-bed health care facility is located in Mount Airy, N.C. The hospital is surrounded by smaller, less competitive facilities. NHDSC maintains a current market share position of 45% within the primary service area, which rose by 5% between 1995 and 1997. The hospital experienced a 9.5% decline in admissions in 1994 due to the loss of two active physicians and the impact of managed care on the area. Since 1994, admissions increased three years in a row ending 1997 with a 5.1% jump from the previous year at 5,018. Outpatient visits and same-day surgeries
