title: On the money: making forecasts what they should be.
abstract: A forecast is an extrapolation from data describing what has happened in the past. Most healthcare organizations can perform all of the forecasting they require on a spread-sheet without use of special software. To ensure objectivity, managers should create the forecasts, and executives should evaluate them.
authors.forename: Heinz J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Dommert
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Getzen
mesh_terms: D004469:Economics, Hospital / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting / Q000379:methods*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D014481:United States