Hospital bed capacity and usage across secondary healthcare providers in England during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In this study, we describe the pattern of bed occupancy across England during the peak of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Descriptive survey.

Setting

All non-specialist secondary care providers in England from 27 March27to 5 June 2020.

Participants

Acute (non-specialist) trusts with a type 1 (ie, 24 hours/day, consultant-led) accident and emergency department (n=125), Nightingale (field) hospitals (n=7) and independent sector secondary care providers (n=195).

Main outcome measures

Two thresholds for 'safe occupancy' were used: 85% as per the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and 92% as per NHS Improvement.

Results

At peak availability, there were 2711 additional beds compatible with mechanical ventilation across England

SUBMITTER: Mateen BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7843315 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature