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[Article] Occupancy rate as a vital metric in ICU operational optimisation

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Rational resource use is vital in intensive care units (ICUs) due to their high complexity. Operational indicators offer a quantitative view of resource utilisation, aiding the ICU team in optimising staff deployment, equipment use, and bed availability.

 

Among the most commonly used metrics in hospital and ICU environments is the bed occupancy rate, which measures the proportion of occupied beds relative to the total bed capacity.

 

These indicators enhance cost-effectiveness and guarantee that resources are allocated to areas of highest clinical necessity. Additionally:

  • Indicates the extent of ICU infrastructure utilisation.
  • Offers insight into the service’s ability to meet demand;
  • Facilitates the identification of process bottlenecks and resource inefficiencies;
  • Supports strategic planning and optimised resource allocation;
  • Improves bed availability and flow efficiency;
  • Enables more informed and confident decision-making.

The bed occupancy rate is determined by dividing the number of patient-days by the number of bed-days available during the same period.

Occupancy Rate = (Number of Patient-Days) ÷ (Number of Beds × Days in the Period)

For example, in a 10-bed ICU with only one unoccupied bed, the occupancy rate is 90%. Over longer periods, adjustments should be made to account for temporary changes in bed availability—such as openings or closures—that may influence the calculation.

Although several factors affect the occupancy rate, extreme values may point to underlying problems, as described below:

 

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In real-time ICU practice, analysing occupancy rates provides vital insights by supporting a systematic, rational, and standardised assessment of bed utilisation. This ensures timely access to ICU care for patients who genuinely need it.

The Epimed Monitor ICU system offers real-time analytics and key performance indicators, such as occupancy rate, through a suite of customisable reports. Furthermore, the system allows benchmarking with peer institutions, which supports setting internal targets, reviewing admission and discharge criteria, and enabling more effective decision-making based on real-time data.

 

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