Which term describes the total number of inpatient days incurred by a population over a specified period?

The term that accurately describes the total number of inpatient days incurred by a population over a specified period is "Days of care." This measure reflects the cumulative inpatient care provided to patients within a defined timeframe, quantifying the total days that patients have occupied hospital beds. It is an important metric used to analyze healthcare utilization, resource allocation, and to manage healthcare facilities more efficiently.

In contrast, patient throughput pertains to the movement of patients through the healthcare system, indicating how quickly patients enter, receive treatment, and are discharged. Bed occupancy rate relates to the percentage of hospital beds occupied at any given time, providing insight into the capacity and demand on healthcare services rather than the total days of care. Care utilization, while a broader term that could encompass various aspects of healthcare services utilization, does not specifically refer to the inpatient days alone but rather the overall use of healthcare services, which can include outpatient care and other settings. Hence, "Days of care" is the precise term needed to describe the total inpatient days for a population during the specified period.