What is it about?
ICD-10 diagnostic groups (i.e. A00-A09 Intestinal infectious diseases, etc) were used to locate those groups showing the highest increase in occupied beds between 1998/99 and 2008/09. In an average English hospital R69 (unknown causes of morbidity) accounted for 22 extra beds or a 47% increase, J10-J18 grew by 13 beds (+73%), etc. Admissions for injury showed an unexplained peak between 2002/03 and 2005/06 illustrating more complex patterns behind growth.
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Why is it important?
A group of diagnoses/conditions appear to be placing pressure on bed occupancy despite reductions in length of stay over time. Diseases of the respiratory system were particularly associated with growth in bed occupancy over time.
Perspectives
Increasing demand for hospital services is concentrated in a cluster of diagnoses. This cluster appears to be sensitive to outbreaks of a new type of infectious disease which shows complex patterns of small-area spread. The existence of such an agent and its effects upon the NHS are denied by government agencies and it seems politically expedient to blame the NHS for something over which it has absolutely no control, see http://www.hcaf.biz/2010/Publications_Full.pdf
Dr Rodney P Jones
Healthcare Analysis & Forecasting
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This page is a summary of: Crafting efficient bed pools, British Journal of Healthcare Management, December 2009, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjhc.2009.15.12.45644.
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