Beddendoorstroom

Beddendoorstroom is a Dutch compound that combines bedden (beds) and doorstroom (throughput or flow). It is not a standard term in major Dutch dictionaries or in many professional vocabularies, and its precise meaning can vary depending on context. In discussions about healthcare management, the term is sometimes used informally to describe bed throughput—the rate at which beds become available after a patient is discharged and are then reassigned to new admissions.

The concept of bed throughput is central to patient flow and hospital capacity planning. It relates to occupancy rates, length of stay, admission and discharge processes, and bed turnover times. Effective bed throughput requires coordination across departments such as nursing, admissions, housekeeping, and discharge planning, as well as tools to monitor bed status in real time.

Practically, improving bed throughput may involve standardized discharge protocols, streamlined turnover procedures, timely cleaning and turnover of rooms, and the use of bed-management software or dashboards. Flexible staffing and cross-training can also help align resources with fluctuating patient demand to minimize bottlenecks and reduce waiting times for patients seeking admission.

Because beddendoorstroom is not a standardized term, its exact meaning can differ between institutions or authors. When encountered, it is advisable to examine the surrounding context to determine whether the reference is about hospital bed turnover, patient flow, or a different application of bed management concepts.

See also: bed turnover, patient flow, bed management, hospital occupancy.