The research predicted that 85% of all hospital adult patient beds will be occupied by 2032 and 85% of adult and pediatric beds combined will be occupied by 2035. The greater problem isn't the anticipated higher number of patients but the expectation that staff shortages will continue.

U.S. hospitals could face a bed shortage as early as 2032, with occupancy remaining elevated even as the country recovers from the COVID pandemic, a new study suggests. Average hospital occupancy following the pandemic has been about 75%,