Situation and analysis of hospital beds in Chile

Abstract

This article presents the current situation of public and private hospital beds in Chile, with a brief analysis of their functioning, focusing specifically on their productivity. A historical account of the availability of public and private beds from 1978 to 2023 is provided. The figures used come mostly from MINSAL records, and in some cases other sources, such as the Clínicas de Chile association, were considered. The study of hospital bed functioning is based on the Occupational Index (OI) for two selected years. The most relevant results show the shortage of hospital beds according to international parameters (OECD). The conversion of hospital beds, particularly in the public sector, is also shown. The study of hospital bed productivity shows that this shortage is most critical in those that, in our judgment, are most necessary to resolve the waiting list. Some alternatives to address this situation are discussed. The need to incorporate this element into the discussion about public sector productivity and the need to improve the quality of the information available at the official level are highlighted.