Thomson Reuters reported that the profit margin of U.S. hospitals was 3.1 % in the 3rd quarter of 2009, up from 0.17 % in the 3rd quarter of 2008. The increase in profit margin applied to all classes of hospitals, including small, medium and large community hospitals, as well as teaching hospitals and major academic medical centers.Total hospital margins improved in the 1st quarter, with about 30 % of hospitals operating in the red–a big improvement over the 50 % reported in the 3rd quarter. Source.