Total census count for the entire period selected below.
Bed Occupancy Rate0.00%
Total Available Bed Days:0
Average Daily Census (ADC):0
Unused Bed Capacity:0.00%
function calculateOccupancy() {
// Get input values using var
var inpatientDaysInput = document.getElementById('inpatientDays');
var bedCountInput = document.getElementById('bedCount');
var periodDaysInput = document.getElementById('periodDays');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('result');
var inpatientDays = parseFloat(inpatientDaysInput.value);
var bedCount = parseFloat(bedCountInput.value);
var periodDays = parseFloat(periodDaysInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(inpatientDays) || isNaN(bedCount) || isNaN(periodDays) || bedCount <= 0 || periodDays <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.");
resultBox.style.display = "none";
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
// Formula: (Total Inpatient Days / (Bed Count * Days in Period)) * 100
var totalAvailableBedDays = bedCount * periodDays;
// Safety check to prevent division by zero
if (totalAvailableBedDays === 0) {
alert("Total available bed days cannot be zero.");
return;
}
var occupancyRate = (inpatientDays / totalAvailableBedDays) * 100;
var averageDailyCensus = inpatientDays / periodDays;
var unusedRate = 100 – occupancyRate;
// Cap unused rate at 0 if over-occupied
if (unusedRate 90) {
statusBadge.className = "status-badge status-danger";
statusBadge.innerText = "High / Overcrowded";
} else if (occupancyRate >= 80 && occupancyRate <= 90) {
statusBadge.className = "status-badge status-optimal";
statusBadge.innerText = "Optimal Efficiency";
} else if (occupancyRate < 70) {
statusBadge.className = "status-badge status-warning";
statusBadge.innerText = "Low / Underutilized";
} else {
statusBadge.className = "status-badge status-optimal";
statusBadge.innerText = "Standard";
}
resultBox.style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Bed Occupancy Rate
The Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR) is a critical Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for hospitals and healthcare facilities. It measures the percentage of available beds that are occupied by patients over a specific period of time. It reflects the facility's efficiency in utilizing its resources and its ability to manage patient flow.
How to Calculate Bed Occupancy Rate
To calculate the occupancy rate accurately, you need three pieces of data: the total inpatient service days (census summary), the number of staffed beds available, and the duration of the period being measured (e.g., 30 days for a month).
Occupancy Rate (%) =
(Total Inpatient Service Days ÷ Total Bed Days Available) × 100
Where:
Total Inpatient Service Days: The sum of the daily census counts for every day in the period. For example, if you have 80 patients on Day 1 and 85 on Day 2, your total for those two days is 165.
Total Bed Days Available: Calculated by multiplying the number of staffed beds by the number of days in the period.
Why is this Metric Important?
Healthcare administrators use the bed occupancy rate to assess operational efficiency:
Resource Allocation: Helps in determining staffing levels for nurses and doctors.
Financial Health: High occupancy typically correlates with higher revenue, while low occupancy may indicate wasted resources.
Patient Safety: Extremely high occupancy rates (often cited above 85-90%) can lead to "bed block," increased wait times in the ER, and higher risks of hospital-acquired infections.
Example Calculation
Imagine a hospital unit with 20 staffed beds evaluated over the month of June (30 days).
First, calculate the capacity: 20 beds × 30 days = 600 Available Bed Days.
Next, sum the daily census counts. Let's assume the total Inpatient Service Days for June was 450.
Apply the formula: (450 ÷ 600) × 100 = 75%.
This result indicates that, on average, 75% of the beds were occupied during the month, suggesting a healthy balance between utilization and available capacity for emergencies.
What is the "85% Rule"?
Many healthcare systems aim for an occupancy rate of around 85%. This is often considered the "sweet spot." It ensures the hospital is efficient and financially viable while retaining a 15% buffer (safety margin) to handle sudden influxes of patients, such as during a flu outbreak or a major accident, without compromising care quality.