SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREDICTION OF PATIENT ADMISSION RATES

摘要

An automated method, as well as computer-implemented systems, apparatus and software products, to predict patient demand in a medical facility. A database contains historical data of patient demand during one or more past time periods. At least two distinguishing characteristics are associated (202) with a specified time period of interest, the first characterising a day within which the time period occurs, and the second characterising a timeframe within which the day occurs. Corresponding historical data is extracted (204) having equivalent distinguishing characteristics. A computational predictive model is applied (206) to the extracted data, to generate a prediction of patient demand. The predicted demand is output (208), for example to a suitable visual display. The invention may be applied, for example, to improve the efficiency of operations in medical facility emergency departments.