Hospitals are near their limits – computer models can help keep their doors open

Van Der Meer, Robert and Anderson, Gillian Hopkins (2021) Hospitals are near their limits – computer models can help keep their doors open. The Conversation. (https://theconversation.com/hospitals-are-near-the...)

[thumbnail of Van-Der-Meer-Anderson-TC-2021-Hospitals-are-near-their-limits-computer-models-can-help]
Preview
Text. Filename: Van_Der_Meer_Anderson_TC_2021_Hospitals_are_near_their_limits_computer_models_can_help.pdf
Final Published Version
License: Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 logo

Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

Coronavirus is causing a strain on health services around the world. Just last week, over 80% of critical care beds in England were full, with warnings of hospitals hitting their limits in the coming days. Because of the fast moving and uncertain nature of the pandemic, it is difficult to predict with any certainty how many beds will be required, even over a relatively short timescale. One option would be to reduce admissions of non-COVID patients, but that is normally a last resort.