Unlocking inpatient bed capacity: using prescriptive analytics and lean principles to optimize patient flow

Inpatient bed capacity has always represented a significant part of the economic engine, second only to the OR. As growth in outpatient volume continues rising, hospitals must strive to be more efficient with their inpatient bed utilization than ever before.

Hospital bed capacity, especially in the ICU, has become a particular concern in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. But even in “normal” times, the pure economic value of each inpatient bed is substantial. Patient flow in and out of inpatient beds is also vitally important to the overall efficient management of the hospital.

This ebook highlights the challenges and variables hospital staff faces each day in managing bed flow, what tools and support they need to perform effectively, and the overall organizational impact of optimized inpatient beds.