Utilization of Existing Services

Utilization of Existing Services. The Department shall consider the current and projected utilization of existing facilities and services when evaluating a proposed project. The utilization of Page 62 — Mississippi State Department of Health existing services is relevant to the need determination, the cost containment analysis, and the evaluation of competing applications. Factors that may be considered include: 1. Occupancy rates of existing facilities providing similar services; 2. Utilization rates of existing services; 3. Service volumes and trends; 4. Existing capacity levels relative to demand; 5. Wait times for existing services; 6. Existing and projected demand for the proposed services; and 7. Other relevant utilization indicators. Unless clearly shown otherwise, utilization data from the Office of Health Planning and Resource Development shall be considered the most reliable data available for purposes of this rule.