A regularly maintained and staffed bed for the accommodation and full-time care of a succession of inpatients, situated in wards or areas of the hospital where continuous medical care is provided.
It is a measure of hospital capacity.

Hospital beds exclude cots for neonates, daybeds, provisional and temporary beds, beds in storerooms, and beds for special purposes, such as dialysis or delivery.

World Health Organization. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Glossary. Accessed on September 8, 2009.