vårdplatser

Vårdplats is a term used in Swedish health and social care to describe a bed allocated for a patient who requires inpatient care. It covers beds in hospital wards as well as beds in municipal care facilities where individuals receive extended or short-term care. The concept is central to patient flow and capacity planning in Sweden's health care system.

Types of vårdplatser include hospital beds for somatic care, psychiatric care, intensive care, geriatrics, rehabilitation, and palliative care. In municipal settings, beds are used for short-term admission in care homes or intermediate care facilities, enabling safer discharge from hospital and ongoing support for patients who no longer require acute hospital treatment but need ongoing supervision or assistance.

Management and capacity are planned regionally by county councils and municipalities. Availability is measured by the number of beds and the occupancy rate. Discharge planning, step-down units, and coordinated care pathways influence bed utilization. Fluctuations occur due to seasonality, epidemics, and demographic changes.

Policy and statistics on vårdplatser are collected by national authorities and reported to regional health organizations and the government. Data help assess capacity, utilization, and wait times, and inform decisions about staffing, investments, and the balance between hospital beds and community-based care.

Challenges and outlook include regional variation in bed numbers, dynamic demand, and the need for efficient patient flow and cross-sector coordination. Ongoing reforms aim to align bed capacity with patient needs, reduce unnecessary hospital stays, and improve transitions between hospital care and community services.