Data shows steady hospital capacity in Kansas City metro

Contrary to recent news reports circulating information that Kansas City hospitals are experiencing a surge in capacity, a recent summary report from the Kansas Hospital Association, which includes data for the Kansas City metro, seems to show otherwise.

Among 43 hospitals in the metro, 12 – under half – reported staffing shortages this week, and only 27 percent anticipate staffing shortages over the next several days.

The summary notes hospitalized COVID-19 patients as well as staffed bed and ventilator availability, again data showing that on average, Kansas City metro hospitals do not appear to be under extraordinary stress.

Data from the report shows the number of confirmed hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 241 as of Oct. 19. Hospitalized or suspected COVID-19 patients was 399, and ICU beds with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients was 94.

Inpatient beds available as of Oct. 19 was 1,907, while ICU beds left available 358. ICU beds available as of the same date was 34 percent; all beds available was 29 percent.

According to research by the KPI Institute, 85-90 percent is the ideal range for percentage hospital bed occupancy rate, stating that a rate higher than 90 percent may induce the danger of overcrowding.

In reverse, anything lower than 85 percent might indicate that resources are managed inefficiently, though if results are between 70-85% respectively 90-95%, they are still within tolerance levels, the institute reports.

By these standards and according to the data provided by the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas City metro hospitals currently show no risk of surpassing the ideal occupancy range.

The report can be found here.