Abstract

BALLON COSSIO, David; QUISPE HUANCA, Miguel Arcángel  and  URQUIETA CLAVEL, Víctor Hugo. Calculation of pediatric intensive care bed requirements. Gac Med Bol [online]. 2025, vol.48, n.2, pp.107-114.  Epub Dec 31, 2025. ISSN 1012-2966.  https://doi.org/10.47993/gmb.v48i2.1129.

The main problem facing intensive care, for both adults and children, in developing countries is the lack of adequate human resources, infrastructure, and equipment. There is a historical shortage of medical, nursing, and other professionals trained to care for critically ill patients. This has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic due to staff burnout and resignation. Hospitals, including national referral hospitals, lack modern equipment, and their infrastructure is in poor condition. They often rely on donations that arrive in poor condition. To demonstrate the real need for more pediatric intensive care beds, studies are needed that analyze current and projected demand, rather than based solely on installed capacity. This would allow for better justification of the expansion of these services to authorities.

Keywords : hospital beds; calculations; pediatrics; intensive therapy.

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