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Myths of ideal hospital occupancy
Author(s) -
Bain Christopher A,
Taylor Peter G,
McDonnell Geoff,
Georgiou Andrew
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03401.x
Subject(s) - occupancy , ideal (ethics) , mythology , post occupancy evaluation , architectural engineering , art , engineering , political science , literature , law
Significant problems in health care, such as access block and long waiting lists for elective surgery, have led to calls for keeping hospital occupancy at no more than 85%. It is elementary queueing theory that a finite‐capacity system with variable demand cannot sustain both full utilisation and full availability. However, the statement that there is a single level of ideal or safe occupancy suitable for all situations is a simplistic interpretation and application of the underlying science. We argue that specific study and action are necessary to understand and deal with the problems of long waiting lists and access block in any given health care facility.