Analysis of the Internal Bed Regulation Committees from hospitals of a Southern Brazilian city

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the composition of the Internal Regulation Committees created in hospitals of a capital city. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study assessing the structure, processes and results of each Committee. RESULTS: The main reasons for implementing the committees were legal issues and overcrowding in the emergency department. The most monitored indicators were the occupancy rate and the mean length of stay, and the most observed results were reductions in the latter. Institutional protocols were developed in 70% of cases, and the degree of support that the Internal Regulation Committee received from the hospital managers was high, despite being only average the support received from the medical teams. Promoting the efficient use of beds seemed to be the main goal. To achieve it, the Internal Regulation Committee had to control hospital capacity at levels that allowed proper and safe bed turnover for patients. The strategies for this were varied and needed to integrate administrative and care issues. CONCLUSION: The Internal Regulation Committees were a management tool with great potential and promising results in the experiences evaluated.