"How many beds are needed?": evaluating bed need in managed care setting.

After downsizing, re-engineering, consolidating and merging, health care administrators are still asking the eternal question, "How many beds are needed in my hospital?" The significant capital and operating cost required to support a staffed bed warrants a thorough and in-depth examination of the factors leading to bed need, writes Steven D. Sauer, consultant with Hamilton/KSA.