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Hospital PMI® at 58.4%; May 2024 Hospital ISM® Report On Business®

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TEMPE, Ariz., June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the hospital subsector grew in May for the ninth consecutive month after contracting twice in the previous four-month period, with 35 consecutive months of growth prior to that, say the nation’s hospital supply executives in the latest Hospital ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Nancy LeMaster, MBA, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Hospital Business Survey Committee: “The Hospital PMI® registered 58.4 percent in May, a 4.9-percentage point increase from the April reading of 53.5 percent, indicating a ninth consecutive month of growth after a contraction in August. The Business Activity Index expanded for the ninth consecutive month. The New Orders Index remained in expansion for the ninth straight month, and the Employment Index moved back into growth territory. The Supplier Deliveries Index remained in expansion (which indicates slower delivery performance). The Case Mix Index expanded in May after contracting in April, registering 51.5 percent, an increase of 2.5 percentage points compared to the previous month’s figure of 49 percent. The Days Payable Outstanding Index remained in expansion territory in May, registering 57 percent, up 4.5 percentage points from the 52.5 percent reported in April. The Technology Spend Index reading of 60.5 percent is an increase of 6 percentage points compared to the 54.5 percent recorded in April. The Touchless Orders Index returned to contraction territory in May, registering 48.5 percent, down 3 percentage points from the 51.5 percent reported in April.”

LeMaster continues, “Strong volumes were top of mind for Hospital Business Survey Committee respondents. Underlying causes cited for the higher volumes included boosts in physician staffing, expanded physical capacity, a rebound from slow spring break traffic and the introduction of new treatments and technologies. Comments related to supply chain operations were more varied. Facilities in some parts of the country enjoyed stability in deliveries and pricing, while others continued to experience shortages and inflationary pressure. Shortages related to syringes due to production issues in China were widespread, as were shortages in sterile water and saline. The Employment Index indicated growth, but comments continued to reflect mixed results. Some panelists indicated their facilities were keeping positions open, while others reported strong hiring efforts designed to replace temporary labor. For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, construction projects were a theme among panelists’ comments. Previously, mentions of capacity growth had been related to M&As.”

Hospital PMI® History

Month

Hospital PMI®

Month

Hospital PMI®

May 2024

58.4

Nov 2023

59.8

Apr 2024

53.5

Oct 2023

52.1

Mar 2024

52.3

Sep 2023

57.0

Feb 2024

56.6

Aug 2023

47.5

Jan 2024

61.5

Jul 2023

53.3

Dec 2023

62.5

Jun 2023

51.5

Average for 12 months – 55.5

High – 62.5

Low – 47.5

 

About This Report
The information compiled in this report is for the month of May 2024.

The Hospital PMI® was developed in collaboration with the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM), an association for the health care supply chain profession, and a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association (AHA).

The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of hospital supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.

Data and Method of Presentation
The Hospital ISM® Report On Business® is based on data compiled from hospital purchasing and supply executives nationwide. Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For each of the indicators measured (Business Activity, New Orders, Employment, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Prices, Prices: Pharmaceuticals, Prices: Supplies, Backlog of Orders, Imports, Inventory Sentiment, Case Mix, Days Payable Outstanding, Technology Spend, and Touchless Orders), this report shows the percentage reporting each response and the diffusion index. Responses represent raw data and are never changed. Beginning in January 2021, the Report On Business® staff and consultants are gathering market information to better validate the Exports Index. Exports Index data are still being collected.

The Hospital PMI® is a composite index computed from the following, equally weighted indexes: Business Activity, New Orders, Employment and Supplier Deliveries. Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A Hospital PMI® index reading above 50 percent indicates that the hospital sub-sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. For the sub-indexes, except Supplier Deliveries, an index reading above 50 percent indicates that the sub-index is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting. A Supplier Deliveries Index above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries and below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries.

The Hospital ISM® Report On Business® survey is sent out to the Hospital Business Survey Committee respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to ONLY report on U.S. operations for the current month. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the fifth business day of the following month.

ISM ROB Content
The Institute for Supply Management® (“ISM”) Report On Business® (Manufacturing, Services, and Hospital reports) (“ISM ROB”) contains information, text, files, images, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, and any other materials or content (collectively, “Content”) of ISM (“ISM ROB Content”). ISM ROB Content is protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other laws, and as between you and ISM, ISM owns and retains all rights in the ISM ROB Content. ISM hereby grants you a limited, revocable, nonsublicensable license to access and display on your individual device the ISM ROB Content (excluding any software code) solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The ISM ROB Content shall also contain Content of users and other ISM licensors. Except as provided herein or as explicitly allowed in writing by ISM, you shall not copy, download, stream, capture, reproduce, duplicate, archive, upload, modify, translate, publish, broadcast, transmit, retransmit, distribute, perform, display, sell, or otherwise use any ISM ROB Content.

Except as explicitly and expressly permitted by ISM, you are strictly prohibited from creating works or materials (including, but not limited to tables, charts, data streams, time-series variables, fonts, icons, link buttons, wallpaper, desktop themes, online postcards, montages, mashups and similar videos, greeting cards, and unlicensed merchandise) that derive from or are based on the ISM ROB Content. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the derivative works or materials are sold, bartered, or given away. You shall not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service, or other means remove, alter, bypass, avoid, interfere with, or circumvent any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices marked on the Content or any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure associated with the Content including geo-filtering mechanisms. Without prior written authorization from ISM, you shall not build a business utilizing the Content, whether or not for profit.

You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM ROB Content can be made by contacting Rose Marie Goupil in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 309 W. Elliot Road, Suite 113, Tempe, AZ 85284-1556, or by emailing rgoupil@ismworld.org; Subject: Content Request.

ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM ROB Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM ROB Content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the ISM ROB. Report On Business®, PMI®, Manufacturing PMI®, Services PMI®, and Hospital PMI® are registered trademarks and trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc.

About Institute for Supply Management®
Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) is the first and leading not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide. Its community of more than 50,000 in more than 100 countries manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 by practitioners, ISM is committed to advancing the practice of supply management to drive value and competitive advantage for its members, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable world. ISM empowers and leads the profession through the ISM® Report On Business®, its highly-regarded certification and training programs, corporate services, events, and assessments. The ISM® Report On Business®, Manufacturing, Services, and Hospital, are three of the most reliable economic indicators available, providing guidance to supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders. For more information, please visit: www.ismworld.org.

The text version of the public Hospital ISM® Report On Business® is posted on ISM®’s website at www.ismrob.org on the fifth business day* of every month at 10:00 a.m. ET.

The next Hospital ISM® Report On Business® featuring June 2024 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, July 5, 2024.

*Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

Contact:

Rose Marie Goupil

Report On Business® Analyst

ISM®, ROB/Program Manager

Tempe, Arizona

+1 480.752.6276, ext. 3005

Email: rgoupil@ismworld.org

 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hospital-pmi-at-58-4-may-2024-hospital-ism-report-on-business-302166554.html

SOURCE Institute for Supply Management

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Technology

IMDA and Tencent Debut “Beyond the Screen” to Champion Real-World Connection through Digital Play

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The launch is marked by the signing of an agreement between IMDA and Tencent to advance healthy digital habits and safe, responsible use of digital technologies among youths, parents, and families.

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Tencent today jointly launched “Beyond the Screen: Healthy Digital Play”, a new digital wellbeing campaign that encourages healthy digital habits by bringing families into the conversation and strengthening real-world connection through healthy gameplay.

The campaign encourages families to bridge the gap between play and purpose through gaming. It showcases how digital play can foster deeper understanding, facilitate balanced routines, and build stronger connections at home.

“Digital spaces are already a natural part of how young people learn, play, and connect today,” said Mr Murphy Zhao, Country Manager of Tencent Singapore and Head of Tech Group, Tencent Games. “As a company with deep expertise across digital entertainment and communications, we want to play a constructive role by helping families build meaningful digital habits that extend beyond the screen.”

Advancing Family Digital Wellness In Partnership with IMDA

As part of the launch, IMDA and Tencent also signed an agreement to strengthen collaboration on initiatives in digital wellbeing. The agreement was signed by Ms Joanna Lam, Cluster Director for Digital Readiness, IMDA, and Mr Murphy Zhao, Country Manager of Tencent Singapore and Head of Tech Group, Tencent Games. The collaboration builds on Tencent’s ongoing cooperation with IMDA, in support of the national Digital for Life (DfL) movement, focusing on promoting online safety and healthy digital habits among youths, parents, and families.

Tencent will co-develop educational content with IMDA, as well as organise four community outreach activities, reaching out to an estimated 4,000 participants. The company will also commit S$ 25,000, which totals to S$ 50,000 with the government’s dollar-to-dollar matching, to the DfL Fund. The DfL Fund provides support for projects and activities promoting digital inclusion, digital literacy and digital wellness. 

“Ensuring digital wellness is increasingly important, particularly for our children who are digital natives,” said Ms Joanna Lam, Cluster Director for Digital Readiness, IMDA. “Tencent has been a DfL partner since 2022, and I thank them for their continued commitment to the DfL cause. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Tencent to empower parents and youths with practical guidance to build healthy digital habits and navigate the digital world safely together.”

Leading the Conversation on Healthy Digital Play

The inaugural Singapore launch event was officiated by Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and also hosted social service organisations from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. At the event, families participated in gamified quiz experiences and took home educational materials designed to transform gaming into healthier routines at home. 

The programme also featured a parenting talk that shared practical guidance on utilising games as a bridge for conversation at home. The session highlighted how, when guided by constructive routines, gaming can support the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, strategic thinking, and persistence.

During the event’s expert insights session, Mr Narasimman S/O Tivasiha Mani, psychotherapist and co-founder of local youth charity Impart, said, “Healthy gaming is not built through one-off rules. It grows through rapport, shared understanding, and everyday conversations. Through a collaborative process between educators, families, and the wider community, it becomes easier to set shared expectations and support balanced habits that carry beyond the screen.”

Building a Scalable Digital Wellbeing Framework for Southeast Asia

While digital habits may look different across the region, the underlying need is the same — helping families build healthier, more confident relationships with the digital world.

“Beyond the Screen” is part of Tencent’s broader commitment to fostering intentional digital play, equipping youths, parents, and educators with practical resources to build balanced routines, encourage respectful interactions, and strengthen open communication at home.

Insights from the Singapore launch will inform the rollout of the campaign across Southeast Asia in 2026, with local adaptations to meet the needs of diverse communities in the region.

About Digital for Life Movement

A Digital Future for All – In our increasingly digital world, everyone can play a part to help create a more inclusive digital future.

The Digital for Life (DfL) national movement, launched on 8 February 2021, aims to galvanise the community across the 3Ps (Private, Public and People) to help Singaporeans embrace digital as a lifelong pursuit and enrich lives through digital technology.

The DfL fund was also set up to support projects and activities promoting digital inclusion, digital literacy and digital wellness. Learn more about the DfL movement at digitalforlife.gov.sg.

About Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg), Facebook (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).

About Tencent 

Tencent is a world-leading internet and technology company that develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life of people around the world. Our communication and social services connect more than one billion people around the world, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, access transportation, pay for daily necessities, and even be entertained. Our financial technology business covers payment, credit, wealth management and insurance sectors, as we support our partners’ business growth and assist their digital upgrade through FinTech and other enterprise services. We also publish some of the world’s most popular video games and other high-quality digital content, enriching interactive entertainment experiences for people around the globe. Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998, and has been listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2004.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/imda-and-tencent-debut-beyond-the-screen-to-champion-real-world-connection-through-digital-play-302760594.html

SOURCE IMDA; Tencent

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Technology

Does Your Building Have Fire Sprinklers?

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Fast Guard Service alerts real estate owners and property managers: 2026 fire code updates to NFPA 25 will significantly affect sprinkler system compliance requirements — and insurance implications could not be more serious.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fast Guard Service, one of the nation’s leading providers of licensed fire watch and security guard services, is urging commercial and residential property owners to take immediate stock of their fire sprinkler systems as sweeping 2026 updates to NFPA 25 — the national standard governing water-based fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance — take effect across the country.

The timing could not be more consequential. Private insurers are exiting fire-risk markets at an accelerating pace, dropping policyholders and limiting coverage in states from California to Florida. In this environment, a sprinkler system that fails a compliance check is no longer a routine maintenance issue. It is a potential grounds for claim denial or policy cancellation.

The 2026 edition of NFPA 25 introduces several changes property owners must act on now. Fire pump failures are formally classified as system impairments requiring immediate response. Supervisory valve testing moves to a semiannual schedule. Annual internal inspections are now mandatory for all dry, preaction, and deluge valves. And where corrosion-control technology has been used to justify smaller pipe sizes, ongoing maintenance of that equipment is now a codified legal obligation — not a recommendation.

Critically, any sprinkler system impairment — whether triggered by repair, renovation, freeze damage, or a compliance-driven upgrade — legally requires a certified fire watch for the duration of the outage under NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and local fire authority mandates. This is a condition of occupancy, not an option.

“The 2026 code updates will send a wave of sprinkler systems into inspection and repair cycles,” said a spokesperson for Fast Guard Service. “Every one of those impairment windows requires a fire watch on-site. We are prepared to be there.”

Fast Guard Service deploys certified fire watch personnel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the United States — typically within hours of a client’s call. Guards conduct continuous patrols, maintain documentation accepted by insurers and code enforcement authorities, and coordinate directly with fire departments when needed.

Property owners who are unsure whether their sprinkler systems meet 2026 NFPA 25 requirements are encouraged to contact Fast Guard Service for guidance.

Founded in August 2013 and headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, Fast Guard Service is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured private security company operating in all 50 states. The company specializes in armed and unarmed security guards, fire watch services, executive protection, mobile surveillance, event security, and emergency response. Fast Guard Service is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government entities, healthcare systems, commercial developers, and private clients nationwide.

All operations are tracked through the proprietary Fast Guard App, providing clients with real-time GPS reporting, live guard location updates, and digital incident documentation.

For an instant quote or same-day service, visit www.fastguardservice.com or call (844) 254-8273.

Press Release Service provided by 24-7PressRelease.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/does-your-building-have-fire-sprinklers-302760491.html

SOURCE Fast Guard Service

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Technology

First Online Conversations Are Changing in 2026, According to New Secretmeet Research

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New research from Secretmeet reveals that the classic “Hey” opener is dying out — and the way people initiate connections online in 2026 looks nothing like it did just three years ago.

GIBRALTAR, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — People are rethinking the first move. Not just what to say, but when to say it, how long to make it, and what emotional tone to lead with. Across the board, data from Secretmeet’s latest research study shows a clear shift in how online conversations begin in 2026.

The single-word opener? Largely gone. The copy-paste compliment? People spot it instantly. Secretmeet noted that what’s replacing them is more interesting — and more human.

The Death of the One-Word Opener

For years, “Hey,” “Hi,” and “Hello 👋” dominated opening messages on dating platforms. They required no effort and, accordingly, generated little response. According to data published by the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, conversational openers that include a specific reference to the recipient’s profile generate significantly higher response rates than generic greetings.

Secretmeet’s research confirms the trend is accelerating. In 2026, users who open with a question — particularly one tied to something specific in a profile — see measurably stronger engagement in the first exchange. The bar for a “good” first message has risen.

This doesn’t mean people need to write an essay. Short still works. But purposeful short beats lazy short every time.

One of the more striking findings from Secretmeet: wit is winning. Openers with a light, humorous tone — a playful observation, a self-aware joke, a clever hypothetical — are outperforming earnest, serious introductions in early conversation engagement.

The Timing Shift Nobody Expected

When people send that first message matters more than most realize. In a Secretmeet review of activity trends, data points to a notable behavioral change: users in 2026 are increasingly active during morning hours — particularly between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. — a window that was almost entirely quiet just a few years ago.

Evening hours still dominate overall volume. But morning messages show a disproportionately high response rate. The theory? People checking their phones with coffee and no agenda are more present, less distracted, and more open to genuine interaction than those scrolling at midnight.

It’s a small tactical insight with a surprisingly large emotional implication: presence matters more than timing, and mornings are when people show up fully. Secretmeet’s data makes that case clearly.

What This Means for How We Connect

The bigger picture here isn’t about tactics. It’s about expectations. People arriving at online dating platforms in 2026 want something more immediate and more genuine than they did in 2020. The pandemic years accelerated a kind of emotional directness online — and that hasn’t reversed.

People want to feel seen in a first message. They want to laugh. They want a reason to respond. A Secretmeet review of first-message engagement data suggests that users are increasingly capable of signaling — and detecting — authentic intent right from the very first line.

The opening message has always mattered. What’s changed is how clearly people understand that now.

About Secretmeet

Secretmeet is an online dating platform built around one straightforward idea: conversations should feel good. Not stressful, not performative — genuinely enjoyable. The platform is designed for people who want warmth, a little wit, and the kind of back-and-forth that actually goes somewhere. Whether you’re looking for something serious or just a spark of something new, Secretmeet reviews its features continuously to ensure that the first message has a real chance of turning into something worth remembering.

Media Contact

Alice Ross, Secretmeet, 1 14844760121, smm@secretmeet.com, https://secretmeet.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/first-online-conversations-are-changing-in-2026-according-to-new-secretmeet-research-302759958.html

SOURCE Secretmeet

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