Authors : Fernando G. H. S.; Basnayake K. D. B.; Attanayaka A. M. T. K.; Samaranayaka K. E.; Saddasena G. M. I. O.; Niyarapola D. R. G. M.; Jayasundara P. M. C. K.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mncwtaen

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4xumtd5d

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr119

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Introduction: District General Hospital Matale, a key maternal care provider in Sri Lanka, faces overcrowding despite low overall bed occupancy. Adaptive bed management strategies were introduced to improve coordination, space use, and care quality.  Objectives: Evaluate and enhance bed management practices in the maternity unit of District General Hospital Matale.  Methodology: A mixed-methods process improvement study was conducted in the maternity units of DGH Matale (Nov 2024–Aug 2025), combining quantitative bed metrics with qualitative staff and patient feedback. Thirty staff and twenty patient participants were recruited through purposive and consecutive sampling, respectively. Interventions included daily tracking, patient categorization, ergonomic upgrades, and inter-ward relocations, with data collected via semi-structured questionnaires and monthly feedback sessions.  Data analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed in IBM SPSS using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests (t-tests, Wilcoxon, ANOVA, Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, Spearman correlation), with survey reliability assessed by Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis. Qualitative feedback from open-ended responses was thematically coded and summarized by frequency counts to complement quantitative findings.  Result: Inter-ward bed management improved occupancy rates across four maternity wards: Antenatal (92%), Postnatal (25%), Gynecology (45%), and Labor (287%). Staff satisfaction was high for bed design (95%), infection control (85%), and inter-unit communication (80%), while relocation protocols received moderate approval (45%). Patient feedback showed 50% satisfaction with bed management and comfort, with 60% preferring low-height beds and 65% favoring ward transfers over waiting.  Conclusion: Adaptive bed management is key to delivering safe, efficient maternal care in resource-limited settings. At DGH Matale, standardizing monitoring, refining relocation protocols, and upgrading infrastructure are recommended to align capacity with demand. Staff training, ward reconfiguration, and continuous audits will support sustained quality and operational resilience.

Keywords : Inter-Ward, Coordination, Effective, Bed Management.

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