Medical product demand in the extended care market has expanded for the sixth consecutive quarter, according to the HIDA Market Pulse™ acuity-weighted utilization index.

It reported slight expansion in this year’s second quarter with a positive index of 23.8, and the first quarter had moderate expansion. The growth is driven by increases in inpatient admissions and acuity rates, while occupancy, average length of stay and cost per patient day remained flat, the firm said.

“Typically, the extended care market experiences slower growth in the second and third quarters of the year, but utilization has been in expansion mode nonetheless,” said Gina Smith, HIDA’s Director of Business Development.

HIDA creates its extended care index through a survey of more than 250 skilled nursing facility administrators, presidents and CEOs.