Bed Census Definition

The study analyzes the use of an hourly bed census to predict and control nurse staffing needs within a hospital setting. The authors suggest that hourly census predictions correlate with healthy nurse-to-patient ratios, which in turn can promote positive patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner. Bed census predictions, staffing requirements, the use of “float nurses”, and fixed versus flexible staff schedules were considered. According to the findings, using inpatient census predictions to drive flexible nurse staffing would allow hospitals to better manage needs and staffing budgets, and dynamically respond to fluctuating inpatient populations, subsequently improving job satisfaction among nurses.