Abstract
• Significant problems in health care, such as access block and long waiting lists for elective surgery, have led to calls for keeping hospital occupancy at no more than 85%. • It is elementary queueing theory that a finite-capacity system with variable demand cannot sustain both full utilisation and full availability. • However, the statement that there is a single level of ideal or safe occupancy suitable for all situations is a simplistic interpretation and application of the underlying science. • We argue that specific study and action are necessary to understand and deal with the problems of long waiting lists and access block in any given health care facility.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 42-43 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Medical Journal of Australia |
Volume | 192 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 4 Jan 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |