Based on preliminary figures for the quarter ended Sept. 30, Community Health, the largest operator in the U.S. by number of hospitals, reported total admissions fell 1.9 percent from the year earlier. “On a same-hospital basis, total admissions fell 2.1 percent, ” the WSJ reported.

Net operating revenue rose 1.4 percent.

“Overall, Community Health expects to report a profit of $60 million, or 51 cents a share, compared with $62 million, or 54 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, profit is projected to be 56 cents, compared with $1.01 a year earlier.”