Profile

Number of beds

The annual average number of beds available to be used by an admitted patient was grouped into the following categories: <50, 50-100, 100-200, 200-500 and more than 500. These data are as reported by states and territories to the NPHED, and are referred to in statistical publications (including Australian hospital statistics) as 'average available beds'.

The average number of available beds presented may differ from counts published elsewhere. For example, counts based on bed numbers at a specified date such as 30 June may differ from the average available beds over the reporting period.

Comparability of bed numbers can be affected by the range and types of patients treated by a hospital. For example, hospitals may have different proportions of beds available for general versus special purposes (such as beds or cots used exclusively for intensive care). Bed counts also include chairs for same-day admissions.

Hospital accreditation

Hospital accreditation information is as reported by states and territories to the NPHED.

Accreditation of a hospital is recognised through a variety of bodies including the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards Evaluation and Quality Improvement Program (EQuIP), Business Excellence Australia, the Quality Improvement Council, and hospitals certified as compliant with the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) 9000 quality family. A hospital is considered as accredited for this website if accreditation has been provided by any of these bodies. Accreditation at any point in time does not assume a fixed or continuing status as accredited. Accreditation for public hospitals was counted as at 30 June. Some hospitals that were accredited for the majority of the financial year, but had their accreditation status lapse shortly before this date were counted as non-accredited.

Students

Hospitals that are involved in teaching undergraduate medical students in association with a university are reported by states and territories to the NPHED.