Hospital flow can be measured at several levels, and each level provides a portion of the total measurement picture: 

• Patient and Community
• Hospital Throughput 
• Hospital Activity
• Hospital Performance

The Hospital Flow Diagnostic tool describes a method for measuring hospital throughput and hospital activity based on bed turns. Bed turns can be looked at both with and without adjustment for acuity based on the case mix index. Hospitals can calculate bed turns based on a variety of data elements using the measurements and definitions described in the tool.