Number of hospital beds (per 10 000 population)
Rationale for use
Service delivery is an important component of health systems. To capture availability, access and distribution of health services delivery a range of indicators or a composite indicator is needed. Currently, there is no such data for the majority of countries. In-patient beds density is one of the few available indicators on a component of level of health service delivery.
Definition
Number of in-patient beds per 10 000 population.
Associated terms
Hospital beds include in-patient and maternity beds. Maternity beds are included while cots and delivery beds are excluded.
Data sources
Administrative records, based on reported data by in-patient facilities; censuses of health facilities.
Methods of estimation
Empirical data only with possible adjustment for underreporting (e.g. missing private facilities).
Disaggregation
By location (urban/rural) though limited availability.
References
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Health situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators
Health situation in the Americas. Basic Indicators. Washington, World Health Organization. Pan American Health Organization, 2004. -
South-East Asia Region. Basic Indicators 2004
South-East Asia Region. Basic Indicators 2004. New Delhi, World Health Organization, 2004.
Database
- Human Resources for Health Information
- Regional Core Health Data Initiative
- European Health for all database (HFA-DB)
Comments
There is a need for further work to better capture the level and distribution of health services in a country. This would be the first step towards assessing inequity in access to health services.