Spare capacity in beds is essential to accommodate emergencies

Emergency admissions are essentially random events and difficult to predict. Using a computer model, Bagust et al show (p 155) that spare capacity is essential if an emergency admissions service is to operate efficiently and at a level of risk acceptable to patients. Bed crises are not generally created by poor management: without 10-15% spare capacity even the best run hospital is at risk. Maintaining these “extra” beds is not wasteful but is a necessary cost of providing adequate emergency care at the time of need.