The hospital capacity issues that emerged during the pandemic are now the new normal at healthcare facilities. In late 2022, experts warned of a “tripledemic” that included the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) patients flooded hospitals. This surge, coupled with existing staffing shortages, highlighted the ongoing hospital operational challenges. What started as a crisis during the pandemic is now a long-term strain on existing healthcare systems that is causing them to shift their approach when it comes to capacity management.
The Crisis of 2022
The winter of 2022 delivered a combination of flu, COVID-19, and RSV. By December over 80% of hospital beds were occupied, a level not seen since the Omicron surge. While there was a decrease in COVID-19 patients there was an increase in RSV cases that placed pressure on hospitals, especially children’s hospitals. Many were already operating at or above capacity, with some even diverting pediatric patients to other units.
To free up resource’s hospitals adopted new approaches including the use of tents, doubling up patients in rooms, and pausing elective surgeries.
The New Normal
As of January 2023, hospital bed occupancy remained above 70%, with 76% of inpatient beds occupied. ICU occupancy rates were similar, at 74.6%. These numbers signaled that hospitals were still feeling the effects of flu season and had reverted to pandemic-era strategies to manage daily capacity demands. Some hospitals restricted visitors, repurposed specialty beds, and held regular meetings with other facilities to coordinate care for critical patients.
Operating in a crisis mode is now an everyday part of hospital operations. While hospitals have started to improve efficiency, leaders are fine tuning their strategies to improve patient throughput. These might include evaluating and reducing the length of a hospital stay or expanding access to care through ambulatory or other settings.
As hospitals struggle with capacity, they need to maintain rigorous standards of patient monitoring including body temperature. Regular temperature checks serve as a primary diagnostic tool for detecting fevers, inflammations, and infections that impact capacity. Healthcare providers should have access to accurate tools like the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer that can help them make informed decisions based on accurate data, thereby optimizing patient outcomes.
Looking Ahead
It’s been five years since the pandemic began, but its impact is still being felt across the healthcare system. Hospital capacity management is now a long-term challenge that requires flexibility, innovative solutions, and continuous adjustments. Hospitals must be nimble to meet the demands of today’s healthcare needs, and the strain isn’t going away anytime soon.
Source,
- Becker’s Hospital Review, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/care-coordination/the-new-normal-for-hospital-capacity.html
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