By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
These skills will help you manage important health information effectively, making a real difference in community health services.
This chapter introduces essential hospital administrative statistics that community health professionals use to monitor and improve health service delivery in Kenya. Understanding these statistics allows health managers to optimize resource allocation, improve patient care, and enhance operational efficiency in diverse healthcare settings such as county hospitals, health centres, and mission hospitals. The computations covered here, including bed occupancy and patient turnover measures, are vital for evidence-based decision making, budgeting, and quality assurance.
Hospital administrative statistics quantify the use of hospital resources and patient flow, enabling effective management of healthcare facilities. Kenyan health administrators rely on these statistics to assess service demand, plan staffing, and control costs. This section covers key metrics such as Occupied Bed Days, Inpatient Days, Turnover Interval, Bed Turnover, Length of Stay, and Percentage Occupancy, each with their specific calculations and interpretations.
Occupied Bed Days (OBD) represent the total number of days all hospital beds are occupied by inpatients over a specific period. This statistic helps managers understand bed utilization and plan capacity accordingly.
The formula to calculate Occupied Bed Days is:
$$ \text{Occupied Bed Days} = \sum (\text{Number of occupied beds on each day}) $$
Example 1:
Calculate the Occupied Bed Days for a small hospital that had the following number of occupied beds over a 5-day period: 20, 22, 18, 25, and 20 beds.
Given: Occupied beds per day = 20, 22, 18, 25, 20 beds$$ \text{OBD} = 20 + 22 + 18 + 25 + 20 $$$$ \text{OBD} = 105 \text{ bed days} $$ Answer: 105 bed days
Example 2:
A county hospital has 150 beds. For a 30-day month, the average bed occupancy per day was 120 beds. Calculate the Occupied Bed Days for the month.
Given: Average occupied beds per day = 120 beds, Days = 30$$ \text{OBD} = 120 \times 30 $$$$ \text{OBD} = 3600 \text{ bed days} $$ Answer: 3600 bed days
Example 3:
A mission hospital records the following occupied beds for 7 days: 35, 40, 38, 36, 42, 39, 37. Calculate the total Occupied Bed Days.
Given: Occupied beds per day = 35, 40, 38, 36, 42, 39, 37$$ \text{OBD} = 35 + 40 + 38 + 36 + 42 + 39 + 37 $$$$ \text{OBD} = 267 \text{ bed days} $$ Answer: 267 bed days
Example 4:
A hospital with 200 beds had a fluctuating daily occupancy over a 10-day period: 180, 170, 190, 185, 175, 160, 165, 170, 180, 175. Calculate the Occupied Bed Days.
Given: Occupied beds per day = 180, 170, 190, 185, 175, 160, 165, 170, 180, 175$$ \text{OBD} = 180 + 170 + 190 + 185 + 175 + 160 + 165 + 170 + 180 + 175 $$$$ \text{OBD} = 1750 \text{ bed days} $$ Answer: 1750 bed days
Example 5:
A private hospital has 50 beds. During a 15-day period, the bed occupancy recorded was: 45, 44, 48, 50, 47, 46, 45, 43, 44, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37. Calculate the total Occupied Bed Days.
Given: Occupied beds per day = 45, 44, 48, 50, 47, 46, 45, 43, 44, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37$$ \text{OBD} = 45 + 44 + 48 + 50 + 47 + 46 + 45 + 43 + 44 + 42 + 41 + 40 + 39 + 38 + 37 $$$$ \text{OBD} = 689 \text{ bed days} $$ Answer: 689 bed days
Inpatient Days measure the total number of days all patients spend admitted in the hospital. It is a critical indicator of hospital workload and resource use.
The formula for Inpatient Days is:
$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = \sum (\text{Length of stay for each inpatient}) $$
Example 1:
A health centre admitted 10 patients who stayed for 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 1, 3, 2, 5, and 4 days respectively. Calculate the total Inpatient Days.
Given: Length of stay (days) = 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 1, 3, 2, 5, 4$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 3 + 5 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 4 $$$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 35 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 35 inpatient days
Example 2:
A county hospital admitted 20 patients. Their stays in days are: 7, 4, 6, 5, 3, 8, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 3, 2, 6, 5, 4, 3, 7. Find the total Inpatient Days.
Given: Length of stay (days) = 7, 4, 6, 5, 3, 8, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 4, 3, 2, 6, 5, 4, 3, 7$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 7 + 4 + 6 + 5 + 3 + 8 + 2 + 4 + 3 + 6 + 5 + 7 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 7 $$$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 94 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 94 inpatient days
Example 3:
A mission hospital discharged 15 patients with lengths of stay (in days): 3, 5, 4, 6, 7, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 4, 5, 3, 4. Calculate the total Inpatient Days.
Given: Length of stay (days) = 3, 5, 4, 6, 7, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 4, 5, 3, 4$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 3 + 5 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 3 + 5 + 6 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 4 $$$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 64 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 64 inpatient days
Example 4:
A private hospital admitted 8 patients with the following stays: 10, 12, 8, 7, 9, 11, 10, and 13 days. Calculate the total Inpatient Days.
Given: Length of stay (days) = 10, 12, 8, 7, 9, 11, 10, 13$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 10 + 12 + 8 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 10 + 13 $$$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 80 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 80 inpatient days
Example 5:
A county referral hospital admitted 12 patients with lengths of stay: 5, 6, 4, 7, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 8, 5, 6 days. Calculate the total Inpatient Days.
Given: Length of stay (days) = 5, 6, 4, 7, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 8, 5, 6$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 5 + 6 + 4 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 5 + 6 $$$$ \text{Inpatient Days} = 76 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 76 inpatient days
Turnover Interval (TI) is the average number of days a hospital bed remains unoccupied between the discharge of one patient and the admission of the next. It provides insight into bed availability and efficiency.
The formula for Turnover Interval is:
$$ \text{Turnover Interval} = \frac{(\text{Available bed days} - \text{Occupied bed days})}{\text{Number of discharges}} $$
Where:
Example 1:
A hospital has 100 beds and operates for 30 days. During this period, Occupied Bed Days were 2400 and there were 300 discharges. Calculate the Turnover Interval.
Given: Beds = 100, Days = 30, OBD = 2400, Discharges = 300$$ \text{Available bed days} = 100 \times 30 = 3000 $$$$ \text{TI} = \frac{3000 - 2400}{300} = \frac{600}{300} $$$$ \text{TI} = 2 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 2 days
Example 2:
A county hospital has 150 beds. For a 31-day month, Occupied Bed Days were 4000 and discharges were 500 patients. Calculate the Turnover Interval.
Given: Beds = 150, Days = 31, OBD = 4000, Discharges = 500$$ \text{Available bed days} = 150 \times 31 = 4650 $$$$ \text{TI} = \frac{4650 - 4000}{500} = \frac{650}{500} $$$$ \text{TI} = 1.3 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 1.3 days
Example 3:
A mission hospital with 80 beds recorded Occupied Bed Days of 2100 over 30 days with 280 discharges. Calculate the Turnover Interval.
Given: Beds = 80, Days = 30, OBD = 2100, Discharges = 280$$ \text{Available bed days} = 80 \times 30 = 2400 $$$$ \text{TI} = \frac{2400 - 2100}{280} = \frac{300}{280} $$$$ \text{TI} = 1.07 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 1.07 days
Example 4:
A hospital has 120 beds and a 28-day month. Occupied Bed Days were 2800 and discharges were 400. Find the Turnover Interval.
Given: Beds = 120, Days = 28, OBD = 2800, Discharges = 400$$ \text{Available bed days} = 120 \times 28 = 3360 $$$$ \text{TI} = \frac{3360 - 2800}{400} = \frac{560}{400} $$$$ \text{TI} = 1.4 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 1.4 days
Example 5:
A private hospital has 50 beds and a 31-day month. Occupied Bed Days were 1200 and discharges were 150. Calculate the Turnover Interval.
Given: Beds = 50, Days = 31, OBD = 1200, Discharges = 150$$ \text{Available bed days} = 50 \times 31 = 1550 $$$$ \text{TI} = \frac{1550 - 1200}{150} = \frac{350}{150} $$$$ \text{TI} = 2.33 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 2.33 days
Bed Turnover (BT) measures the number of patients admitted per bed during a specified period. It reflects how often beds are used by different patients, indicating hospital throughput.
The formula for Bed Turnover is:
$$ \text{Bed Turnover} = \frac{\text{Number of discharges}}{\text{Number of beds}} $$
Example 1:
A hospital with 100 beds had 400 discharges in a month. Calculate the Bed Turnover.
Given: Discharges = 400, Beds = 100$$ \text{BT} = \frac{400}{100} = 4 $$ Answer: 4 patients per bed
Example 2:
A county hospital with 150 beds recorded 600 discharges in 30 days. Determine the Bed Turnover.
Given: Discharges = 600, Beds = 150$$ \text{BT} = \frac{600}{150} = 4 $$ Answer: 4 patients per bed
Example 3:
A mission hospital has 80 beds and discharged 320 patients in a month. Calculate Bed Turnover.
Given: Discharges = 320, Beds = 80$$ \text{BT} = \frac{320}{80} = 4 $$ Answer: 4 patients per bed
Example 4:
A private hospital with 50 beds had 150 discharges in a month. Find the Bed Turnover.
Given: Discharges = 150, Beds = 50$$ \text{BT} = \frac{150}{50} = 3 $$ Answer: 3 patients per bed
Example 5:
A hospital with 120 beds recorded 360 discharges over a 30-day period. Calculate Bed Turnover.
Given: Discharges = 360, Beds = 120$$ \text{BT} = \frac{360}{120} = 3 $$ Answer: 3 patients per bed
Length of Stay (LOS) is the average duration an inpatient spends in the hospital. It is a key indicator of hospital efficiency and patient care quality.
The formula for Length of Stay is:
$$ \text{Length of Stay} = \frac{\text{Inpatient Days}}{\text{Number of discharges}} $$
Example 1:
A hospital had 1200 inpatient days and 400 discharges. Calculate the average Length of Stay.
Given: Inpatient Days = 1200, Discharges = 400$$ \text{LOS} = \frac{1200}{400} = 3 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 3 days
Example 2:
A county hospital recorded 1500 inpatient days and 500 discharges over a month. Find the Length of Stay.
Given: Inpatient Days = 1500, Discharges = 500$$ \text{LOS} = \frac{1500}{500} = 3 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 3 days
Example 3:
A mission hospital had 900 inpatient days and 300 discharges. Calculate the Length of Stay.
Given: Inpatient Days = 900, Discharges = 300$$ \text{LOS} = \frac{900}{300} = 3 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 3 days
Example 4:
A private hospital reported 600 inpatient days and 200 discharges. Calculate the average Length of Stay.
Given: Inpatient Days = 600, Discharges = 200$$ \text{LOS} = \frac{600}{200} = 3 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 3 days
Example 5:
A hospital recorded 1800 inpatient days and 600 discharges. Calculate the Length of Stay.
Given: Inpatient Days = 1800, Discharges = 600$$ \text{LOS} = \frac{1800}{600} = 3 \text{ days} $$ Answer: 3 days
Percentage Occupancy indicates the proportion of available beds occupied over a period. It helps assess the hospital’s capacity utilization.
The formula for Percentage Occupancy is:
$$ \text{Percentage Occupancy} = \frac{\text{Occupied Bed Days}}{\text{Available Bed Days}} \times 100 $$
Example 1:
A hospital has 100 beds and 30 days in a month. Occupied Bed Days were 2400. Calculate the Percentage Occupancy.
Given: Beds = 100, Days = 30, OBD = 2400$$ \text{Available bed days} = 100 \times 30 = 3000 $$$$ \text{Percentage Occupancy} = \frac{2400}{3000} \times 100 = 80\% $$ Answer: 80%
Example 2:
A county hospital with 150 beds had Occupied Bed Days of 4000 in a 31-day month. Find the Percentage Occupancy.
Given: Beds = 150, Days = 31, OBD = 4000$$ \text{Available bed days} = 150 \times 31 = 4650 $$$$ \text{Percentage Occupancy} = \frac{4000}{4650} \times 100 = 86.02\% $$ Answer: 86.02%
Example 3:
A mission hospital with 80 beds recorded Occupied Bed Days of 2100 over 30 days. Calculate Percentage Occupancy.
Given: Beds = 80, Days = 30, OBD = 2100$$ \text{Available bed days} = 80 \times 30 = 2400 $$$$ \text{Percentage Occupancy} = \frac{2100}{2400} \times 100 = 87.5\% $$ Answer: 87.5%
Example 4:
A private hospital with 50 beds had Occupied Bed Days of 1200 in a 31-day month. Calculate the Percentage Occupancy.
Given: Beds = 50, Days = 31, OBD = 1200$$ \text{Available bed days} = 50 \times 31 = 1550 $$$$ \text{Percentage Occupancy} = \frac{1200}{1550} \times 100 = 77.42\% $$ Answer: 77.42%
Example 5:
A hospital with 120 beds recorded Occupied Bed Days of 2800 over 28 days. Calculate the Percentage Occupancy.
Given: Beds = 120, Days = 28, OBD = 2800$$ \text{Available bed days} = 120 \times 28 = 3360 $$$$ \text{Percentage Occupancy} = \frac{2800}{3360} \times 100 = 83.33\% $$ Answer: 83.33%
This chapter focused on the computation of key hospital administrative statistics essential for effective health care management. It began by explaining the concept of occupied bed days, which measures the total number of days hospital beds are occupied by patients. The discussion then covered inpatient days, representing the cumulative days spent by all admitted patients in the hospital. Turnover interval was introduced as the average time a bed remains unoccupied between discharges and admissions. The chapter further examined bed turnover, indicating how frequently beds are used by different patients within a specific period. Length of stay was analyzed, showing the average duration a patient remains admitted in the hospital. Finally, the percentage occupancy was described as the proportion of available beds occupied over a given time, reflecting hospital utilization efficiency. These statistics are critical for planning, resource allocation, and improving patient care in diverse health care settings.
A hospital has 150 beds. On a particular day, 120 beds were occupied. Calculate the percentage occupancy for that day. (2 marks)
A hospital recorded 3,600 inpatient days in a month of 30 days. Calculate the average number of patients admitted per day during that month. (2 marks)
If a hospital has 100 beds and the occupied bed days in a 31-day month are 2,480, calculate the percentage occupancy for the month. (3 marks)
A hospital discharged 240 patients during a 30-day month. Calculate the bed turnover for the hospital if it has 80 beds. (3 marks)
The total number of occupied bed days in a 28-day month is 1,960. The hospital has 70 beds. Calculate the turnover interval in days. (4 marks)
A hospital reports a total of 4,500 inpatient days and 300 discharges in a month. Calculate the average length of stay for patients in the hospital. (3 marks)
A hospital has 120 beds. During a 31-day month, it recorded 3,100 occupied bed days and 150 discharges. Calculate the bed turnover rate and percentage occupancy for the month. (5 marks)
A community health facility has 50 beds. During a 30-day month, it had 1,350 occupied bed days and discharged 90 patients. Calculate the average length of stay, bed turnover, and turnover interval for the facility. (6 marks)
A hospital with 200 beds recorded 5,400 occupied bed days in a 30-day month. Calculate the percentage occupancy and turnover interval if the hospital discharged 180 patients during the month. (6 marks)
A county hospital has 150 beds. In a 31-day month, the hospital recorded 4,200 occupied bed days and discharged 140 patients. Calculate:
1. Percentage occupancy
Given:
Number of beds \( = 150 \)
Occupied beds \( = 120 \)
Formula:$$ \text{Percentage occupancy} = \frac{\text{Occupied beds}}{\text{Total beds}} \times 100 $$
Calculation:$$ \frac{120}{150} \times 100 = 80\% $$
Answer: 80% occupancy
2. Average number of patients admitted per day
Given:
Inpatient days \( = 3600 \)
Number of days \( = 30 \)
Formula:$$ \text{Average patients per day} = \frac{\text{Inpatient days}}{\text{Number of days}} $$
Calculation:$$ \frac{3600}{30} = 120 \text{ patients/day} $$
Answer: 120 patients per day
3. Percentage occupancy for the month
Given:
Beds \( = 100 \)
Occupied bed days \( = 2480 \)
Days in month \( = 31 \)
Formula:$$ \text{Percentage occupancy} = \frac{\text{Occupied bed days}}{\text{Beds} \times \text{Days}} \times 100 $$
Calculation:$$ \frac{2480}{100 \times 31} \times 100 = \frac{2480}{3100} \times 100 = 80\% $$
Answer: 80% occupancy
4. Bed turnover
Given:
Discharges \( = 240 \)
Beds \( = 80 \)
Formula:$$ \text{Bed turnover} = \frac{\text{Number of discharges}}{\text{Number of beds}} $$
Calculation:$$ \frac{240}{80} = 3 \text{ times} $$
Answer: Bed turnover is 3 times
5. Turnover interval
Given:
Occupied bed days \( = 1960 \)
Beds \( = 70 \)
Days \( = 28 \)
Step 1: Calculate total bed days available$$ \text{Total bed days} = \text{Beds} \times \text{Days} = 70 \times 28 = 1960 $$
Step 2: Calculate discharges
Since occupied bed days equals total bed days, assume full occupancy, estimate discharges unknown. For turnover interval, formula is:$$ \text{Turnover interval} = \frac{\text{Total bed days} - \text{Occupied bed days}}{\text{Number of discharges}} $$
Assuming discharges \( D \), rearranged:
But data insufficient to calculate turnover interval directly without discharges. Assume discharges = 70 (one discharge per bed per month) for calculation.
Calculate turnover interval:$$ \text{Turnover interval} = \frac{1960 - 1960}{70} = \frac{0}{70} = 0 \text{ days} $$
This means beds are continuously occupied; turnover interval is zero.
Answer: Turnover interval is 0 days (continuous occupancy)
6. Average length of stay
Given:
Inpatient days \( = 4500 \)
Discharges \( = 300 \)
Formula:$$ \text{Average length of stay} = \frac{\text{Inpatient days}}{\text{Discharges}} $$
Calculation:$$ \frac{4500}{300} = 15 \text{ days} $$
Answer: Average length of stay is 15 days
7. Bed turnover rate and percentage occupancy
Given:
Beds \( = 120 \)
Occupied bed days \( = 3100 \)
Discharges \( = 150 \)
Days \( = 31 \)
Percentage occupancy:$$ \frac{3100}{120 \times 31} \times 100 = \frac{3100}{3720} \times 100 = 83.33\% $$
Bed turnover:$$ \frac{150}{120} = 1.25 \text{ times} $$
Answer:
Percentage occupancy = 83.33%
Bed turnover = 1.25 times
8. Average length of stay, bed turnover, turnover interval
Given:
Beds \( = 50 \)
Occupied bed days \( = 1350 \)
Discharges \( = 90 \)
Days \( = 30 \)
Average length of stay:$$ \frac{1350}{90} = 15 \text{ days} $$
Bed turnover:$$ \frac{90}{50} = 1.8 \text{ times} $$
Turnover interval:
First calculate total bed days:$$ 50 \times 30 = 1500 $$
Turnover interval formula:$$ \frac{\text{Total bed days} - \text{Occupied bed days}}{\text{Discharges}} = \frac{1500 - 1350}{90} = \frac{150}{90} = 1.67 \text{ days} $$
Answer:
Average length of stay = 15 days
Bed turnover = 1.8 times
Turnover interval = 1.67 days
9. Percentage occupancy and turnover interval
Given:
Beds \( = 200 \)
Occupied bed days \( = 5400 \)
Days \( = 30 \)
Discharges \( = 180 \)
Percentage occupancy:$$ \frac{5400}{200 \times 30} \times 100 = \frac{5400}{6000} \times 100 = 90\% $$
Turnover interval:
Total bed days = 6000$$ \frac{6000 - 5400}{180} = \frac{600}{180} = 3.33 \text{ days} $$
Answer:
Percentage occupancy = 90%
Turnover interval = 3.33 days
10. Multiple calculations
Given:
Beds \( = 150 \)
Occupied bed days \( = 4200 \)
Days \( = 31 \)
Discharges \( = 140 \)
a) Percentage occupancy:$$ \frac{4200}{150 \times 31} \times 100 = \frac{4200}{4650} \times 100 = 90.32\% $$
b) Bed turnover rate:$$ \frac{140}{150} = 0.93 \text{ times} $$
c) Average length of stay:$$ \frac{4200}{140} = 30 \text{ days} $$
d) Turnover interval:
Total bed days = 4650$$ \frac{4650 - 4200}{140} = \frac{450}{140} = 3.21 \text{ days} $$
Answer:
a) Percentage occupancy = 90.32%
b) Bed turnover rate = 0.93 times
c) Average length of stay = 30 days
d) Turnover interval = 3.21 days
Percentage occupancy \(= \frac{\text{Occupied bed days}}{\text{Total bed days}} \times 100\)
Total bed days \(= 150 \times 30 = 4,500\)
Percentage occupancy \(= \frac{3,600}{4,500} \times 100 = 80\%\)
Average length of stay \(= \frac{\text{Inpatient days}}{\text{Number of admissions}} = \frac{3,750}{500} = 7.5\) days
Turnover interval \(= \frac{\text{Available bed days} - \text{Occupied bed days}}{\text{Number of discharges}}\)
Available bed days \(= 120 \times 40 = 4,800\)
Occupied bed days \(= 4,800\) (given as inpatient days)
Number of discharges (assuming equals admissions) \(= \frac{\text{Inpatient days}}{\text{Average length of stay}}\), insufficient data to calculate discharges here directly, so assuming admissions = inpatient days / average length of stay unknown, question likely expects formula application only or a note of insufficient data. Please confirm assumptions.
Bed turnover rate \(= \frac{\text{Number of discharges}}{\text{Number of beds}} = \frac{300}{100} = 3\)
Difference \(= \text{Inpatient days} - \text{Occupied bed days} = 3,000 - 2,400 = 600\)
This may indicate days when patients were admitted but beds were not occupied continuously, possibly due to patient transfers or data recording differences.
Percentage occupancy \(= \frac{1,200}{50 \times 24} \times 100 = \frac{1,200}{1,200} \times 100 = 100\%\)
Average length of stay \(= \frac{7,500}{1,000} = 7.5\) days
Total bed days \(= 150 \times 31 = 4,650\)
Turnover interval \(= \frac{4,650 - 5,000}{400} = \frac{-350}{400} = -0.875\) days (negative value indicates full or over capacity, or data inconsistency)
Total admissions \(= \text{Bed turnover rate} \times \text{Number of beds} = 6 \times 90 = 540\)
Total bed days \(= 110 \times 28 = 3,080\)
Percentage occupancy \(= \frac{2,640}{3,080} \times 100 = 85.71\%\)
Question 11 (Compulsory - 20 marks)
The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has 1,800 beds. During a 31-day month, it admitted 5,200 patients and reported 45,000 inpatient days.
a) Calculate the average length of stay for inpatients during this month. (10 marks)
b) Calculate the percentage occupancy and interpret what this implies about bed utilization at KNH. (10 marks)
Question 12 (20 marks)
A county hospital has 250 beds and recorded 6,000 inpatient days in a 30-day month. The hospital admitted 1,200 patients during the same period.
Calculate:
a) Bed turnover rate
b) Turnover interval
Explain the significance of these statistics for hospital management.
Question 13 (20 marks)
A mission hospital with 120 beds recorded the following data for a 31-day month:
Calculate:
a) Percentage occupancy
b) Bed turnover rate
c) Average length of stay
Discuss how these statistics can help improve hospital service delivery.
Question 14 (20 marks)
A health facility with 90 beds reported 2,700 inpatient days and 1,000 admissions in a 30-day month.
a) Calculate the average length of stay and bed turnover rate.
b) If the hospital aims to reduce the average length of stay by 1 day, discuss the potential impact on bed turnover and percentage occupancy.
Question 11
a) Average length of stay \(= \frac{\text{Inpatient days}}{\text{Number of admissions}} = \frac{45,000}{5,200} = 8.65\) days
b) Total bed days \(= 1,800 \times 31 = 55,800\)
Percentage occupancy \(= \frac{45,000}{55,800} \times 100 = 80.64\%\)
Interpretation: The hospital is operating at about 81% bed occupancy, which indicates efficient use of beds but with some capacity for additional patients or flexibility.
Question 12
a) Bed turnover rate \(= \frac{\text{Number of discharges}}{\text{Number of beds}} = \frac{1,200}{250} = 4.8\)
b) Total bed days \(= 250 \times 30 = 7,500\)
Turnover interval \(= \frac{\text{Available bed days} - \text{Occupied bed days}}{\text{Number of discharges}} = \frac{7,500 - 6,000}{1,200} = \frac{1,500}{1,200} = 1.25\) days
Significance: A bed turnover rate of 4.8 means each bed is used by nearly 5 patients per month. A turnover interval of 1.25 days shows beds are vacant on average for just over a day between discharges and admissions, which affects patient flow and bed availability.
Question 13
a) Percentage occupancy \(= \frac{3,400}{120 \times 31} \times 100 = \frac{3,400}{3,720} \times 100 = 91.4\%\)
b) Bed turnover rate \(= \frac{280}{120} = 2.33\)
c) Average length of stay \(= \frac{3,400}{280} = 12.14\) days
Discussion: High percentage occupancy indicates efficient bed use but may strain resources. A low bed turnover rate and long average stay suggest patients occupy beds for long periods, limiting capacity for new admissions. Management can use this data to optimize patient flow and reduce length of stay.
Question 14
a) Average length of stay \(= \frac{2,700}{1,000} = 2.7\) days
Bed turnover rate \(= \frac{1,000}{90} = 11.11\)
b) Reducing the average length of stay by 1 day to 1.7 days would increase bed turnover, allowing more patients per bed per month. Percentage occupancy may decrease slightly if admissions remain constant, improving bed availability and hospital efficiency.
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