1、2008HEALTHCARE REALTY TRusTANNuAL REPORT TO sHAREHOLDERsDuring its sixteenth year as a public company,Healthcare Realty Trust continued its commitment to creating long-term shareholder value by pursuing accretive investments,enhancing positive portfolio performance,and maintaining a conservative bal
2、ance sheet.Despite significant economic turmoil,the Companys portfolio upheld stable tenant occupancy and positive rental income growth,demonstrating the unique asset quality,low-risk and lasting potential of medical office and outpatient facility investments.Healthcare fundamentals remained stable
3、in 2008 with increased patient demand and higher employment.During the year,the Company was positioned well to take advantage of growth opportunities in the outpatient facility sector,having maintained its strong balance sheet fundamentals and limited near-term debt maturities,enabling it to complet
4、e several large acquisitions in keeping with the Companys strict investment standards.While indicators of the economy may fluctuate from year to year,the number of Americans seeking medical treatment,particularly in outpatient settings,continues to steadily rise.From 1996 to 2006,outpatient visits p
5、er capita increased by approximately 26%in primary care offices,surgical care offices,and hospital outpatient departments to total approximately 1.1 billion visits.Additionally,the number of procedures that may be performed on an outpatient basis,which only accounted for about 20%of all procedures i
6、n 1980,has grown to approximately 80%today.Meanwhile,annual inpatient admissions have held steady at approximately 117 people per thousand over the same period.These trends,combined with the continuing rise in healthcare costs,have encouraged parties,on multiple fronts,to strategically focus on the