Healthcare
Why this is rated stable
Inpatient bed occupancy was 74.9% for the week ending 2026-09-19 (below the 85% elevated threshold), and FDA listed 70 drugs currently in shortage as of 2026-09-28 (below the 110 elevated threshold). Both readings are within their freshness windows, so the status is stable.
Stable: Operating within normal ranges. No significant disruptions or unusual risks. Methodology
What is this?
This tracks whether hospitals have room and whether medicines are in stock.
How it's doing: Working normally.
About this area
Tracks hospital capacity, drug shortages, and healthcare system disruptions. National inpatient bed occupancy from CDC's Weekly Hospital Respiratory Data was 74.9% for the week ending 2026-09-19, up from 74.4% a week earlier. FDA's Drug Shortages Database listed 70 drugs currently in shortage as of 2026-09-28, down from 241 reported in late September previously; the current list is dominated by sterile injectable products, including several anesthetics, opioids, and emergency medications.
Indicators
Latest readings. Changes are shown without judgment of whether up or down is better.
| Indicator | Latest |
|---|---|
Inpatient bed occupancy Share of inpatient beds in use nationally, from CDC Weekly Hospital Respiratory Data. Source: CDC (data.cdc.gov) | 74.9% |
Active drug shortages Count of drugs listed as Currently in Shortage in the FDA Drug Shortages Database. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration | 70drugs |
Charts
Timeline of developments
FDA lists 70 drugs currently in shortage (opens original release)
The FDA Drug Shortages Database shows 70 drugs with Currently in Shortage status, including sterile injectables such as fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, and sodium bicarbonate injections; several entries, including albuterol solution and peginterferon alfa-2a injection, are marked Resolved.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationNational inpatient bed occupancy edges up to 74.9% (opens original release)
CDC Weekly Hospital Respiratory Data show national inpatient bed occupancy at 74.9% for the week ending 2026-09-19, up from 74.4% the prior week; ICU bed occupancy was 70.3%.
Source: CDC (data.cdc.gov)
Sources and citationsWhere this info comes from
- 1.Weekly Hospital Respiratory Data (HRD) Metrics by Jurisdiction
CDC (data.cdc.gov). Accessed Sep 28, 2026.
- 2.Drug Shortages Database
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed Sep 27, 2026.
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