Pandemic May Not Be Crippling Health Care System

(WBAP/KLIF) — The Coronavirus pandemic may not be as taxing on the Texas health care system as once thought. As new COVID-19 cases dropped by nearly 50% in late February, the resulting hospital bed capacity rate at Dallas’ 25 hospitals sits at 80%.

Some are questioning whether hospital bed capacity is a reliable metric for determining a health care facility crisis. According to American Hospital Association statistics, the average occupancy rate at community hospitals sits at 76%, with facilities housing over 300 beds at 80%.

The study was conducted years before the Coronavirus pandemic and reflected hospital occupancy rates during a normal, non-pandemic year.

Based on the figures, the Coronavirus pandemic may not be adversely affecting the occupancy rate at community hospitals. A study also indicated that hospitals tend to avoid idle capacity because it escalates the cost of hospital care.

Listen to WBAP/KLIF report:

Hospital capacity in Dallas

Aug 3rd
5,972 beds / 3,931 occupied (66%)
958 icu beds / occupied 653 (68%)
1,006 ventilators / 399 in use (40%)

Sept 14th
5,890 beds / 4,003 occupied (68%)
916 icu beds / occupied 592 (55%)
993 ventilators / 343 in use (35%)

Oct 24th
5,883 beds / 4,484 occupied (76%)
911 icu beds / occupied 696 (76%)
990 ventilators / 373 in use (38%)

Nov 6th
5,903 beds / 4,434 occupied (75%)
911 icu beds / occupied 706 (77%)
980 ventilators / 365 in use (37%)

Nov 30th
5,866 beds / 3,988 occupied (68%)
924 icu beds / occupied 700 (76%)
998 ventilators / 387 in use (39%)

Dec 6th
5,893 beds / 4,229 occupied (72%)
1,040 icu beds / occupied 698 (67%)
1001 ventilators / 411 in use (41%)

Dec 23rd
5,914 beds / 4,461 occupied (75%)
937 icu beds / occupied 758 (81%)
1038 ventilators / 451 in use (43%)

Jan 7th
5,913 beds / 4,720 occupied (80%)
894 icu beds / occupied 729 (82%)
1039 ventilators / 503 in use (48%)

Feb 26th
6,009 beds / 4,812 occupied (80%)
934 icu beds / occupied 746 (80%)
1073 ventilators / 429 in use (40%)

Average occupancy rate of community hospitals, by bed-size class average occupancy rate
percent
6-24 beds 46.2
25-49 beds 53.0
50-99 beds 64.7
100-199 beds 71.8
200-299 beds 77.8
300-399 beds 79.8
400-499 beds 81.7
500 beds or more 82.5
Source: American Hospital Association. hospital statistics

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