Patient Day Rate & Census Calculator
Calculation Results
Average Daily Census (ADC): 0 patients/day
Occupancy Rate: 0%
Cost Per Patient Day: $0
Understanding Patient Day Rate Calculations
In healthcare administration, the Patient Day is the primary unit of measure used to quantify the service provided to patients. One patient day represents one individual patient staying in a facility for a 24-hour period. Calculating these rates accurately is essential for hospital staffing, budgeting, and operational efficiency.
1. What is the Average Daily Census (ADC)?
The Average Daily Census represents the mean number of patients treated in the facility each day over a specific period. It is the cornerstone of capacity planning.
Formula: Total Patient Days ÷ Number of Days in Period
2. Occupancy Rate
This percentage shows how much of your total facility capacity is being utilized. A consistently high occupancy rate (above 85%) may indicate a need for facility expansion or improved discharge protocols, while a low rate may suggest underutilization of resources.
Formula: (Average Daily Census ÷ Total Bed Capacity) × 100
3. Cost Per Patient Day
This financial metric helps administrators understand the operational efficiency of the facility. It calculates the average expense incurred to care for one patient for one day, including staffing, supplies, and overhead.
Formula: Total Operational Costs ÷ Total Patient Days
Practical Example
Imagine a community hospital with the following data for the month of June (30 days):
- Total Patient Days: 1,800
- Total Bed Capacity: 80 beds
- Monthly Operating Costs: $450,000
Calculation:
- ADC: 1,800 / 30 = 60 patients per day.
- Occupancy Rate: (60 / 80) * 100 = 75%.
- Cost Per Patient Day: $450,000 / 1,800 = $250 per day.
This data tells the administrator that while the facility is healthy (75% occupancy), they are spending $250 daily per patient to maintain operations.