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%,

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.