The maximum number of beds for which a hospital holds a license to operate. Many hospitals do not operate all of the beds for which they are licensed.

Physically available beds = Staffed + Unstaffed beds Beds that are licensed, physically set up, and available for use. These are beds regularly maintained in the hospital for the use of patients, which furnish accommodations with supporting services (such as food, laundry, and housekeeping). These beds may or may not be staffed but are physically available.

Staffed beds = Vacant/available beds + Occupied beds Beds that are licensed and physically available for which staff is on hand to attend to the patient who occupies the bed. Staffed beds include those that are occupied and those that are vacant. This is the "Staffed Capacity" definition for ESF 8.

Beds that are licensed and physically available and have no current staff on hand to attend to a patient who would occupy the bed.

Beds that are licensed, physically available, staffed, and occupied by a patient. This is the "Census" definition for ESF 8.

Beds that are vacant and to which patients can be transported immediately. These must include supporting space, equipment, medical material, ancillary and support services, and staff to operate under normal circumstances. These beds are licensed, physically available, and have staff on hand to attend to the patient who occupies the bed. This may be calculated by a resource management application.