Conclusion

One of the most pertinent issues facing healthcare systems worldwide is the shortage of hospital beds. This shortage can be exacerbated during health crises or pandemics when the patient influx suddenly spikes. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals found themselves overwhelmed, with bed occupancy rates reaching near capacity. Such scenarios lead to difficult triage decisions and can compromise patient care. As a result, the need for strategic planning in hospital bed management has never been more critical. Hospitals must not only ensure they have enough beds but also that they are distributed effectively across various departments to meet diverse patient needs.