Joint ventures in health care

To remain competitive, many not-for-profit hospitals have turned to joint ventures with for-profit and other not-for-profit entities. The authors examine the organizational structures that are used most often to form joint ventures (contractual agreements, subsidiary corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profit title-holding corporations), as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with each form. Nurse executives must be aware of the opportunities that joint ventures provide their institutions. These arrangements can help improve and expand services and profitability.