Hospital occupancy is projected to reach crisis levels by 2032, with staffed beds unable to meet demand. But this challenge represents an opportunity: health systems that act now can transform operations, expand access, and position themselves as market leaders while others struggle with capacity constraints.
This guide provides seven strategic levers that work together to address the interconnected challenges of capacity management, observation medicine growth, and workforce optimization. Each lever strengthens the others as integrated components of a coordinated transformation with hospital medicine leadership at the center.
These seven levers work together through two strategic pillars: acuity management (matching care intensity to patient complexity) and capacity management (optimizing throughput to meet demand). Better acuity management improves capacity and vice versa. Hospital medicine leadership and aligned accountability structures create the foundation that makes coordinated transformation possible.
When realized:
- Patients experience faster access to appropriate care and improved outcomes
- Clinicians work in sustainable models with clear roles and adequate support
- Hospitals meet financial and quality metrics while expanding access
- Communities maintain protected access to essential services despite growing demand
SCP Health partners with health systems to transform hospital medicine operations through integrated leadership, standardized care pathways, and optimized workforce deployment. Our hospital medicine solutions help health systems balance acuity and capacity to protect access to care.
For more information about implementing these strategic levers, contact the SCP Health team.
