How is the number of patients in a hospital at midnight determined for the midnight census?

The midnight census is a critical measure used in healthcare organizations to determine the number of patients present in the hospital at a specific time, usually midnight. This figure is important for various operational and financial assessments.

The correct method to determine the number of patients at midnight involves tracking the flow of patients throughout the day. Specifically, this means taking the previous census count and adjusting it by the number of patients who were discharged since the last count. Therefore, by subtracting discharges from the previous census count, you can arrive at an accurate number of patients who are still admitted at midnight. This approach accounts for patients who may have been admitted throughout the day and ensures an accurate snapshot of hospital occupancy.

Other methods, such as calculating total admissions for the week, don't provide an immediate count for the midnight snapshot. Reviewing staff records and using average patient turnover rates are not direct measures of actual patient occupancy at midnight, as they focus on staffing and overall trends rather than real-time data at a specific moment. Thus, the subtraction of discharges from the previous census provides the most precise and relevant figure for the midnight census.