Types of sudden patient surges:
(1) natural disaster
(2) war
(3) pandemic
The influx results in a shortage of resources. This may be general or limited to certain resources such as:
(1) mechanical ventilators
(2) ICU beds
(3) dialysis machines
The response to a sudden surge usually entails:
(1) triaging patients with release of minor cases
(2) delaying elective procedures
(3) diverting patients to other facilities
(4) discharging patients as soon as possible (including transfer to nursing homes)
(5) setting up emergency hospitals (mobile, other)
(6) expanding workforce (overtime, influx from outside)
The surge capacity status may be color coded to improve communication. In the following table there could be additional levels (below normal with staff reduction, critical).
|
Operational Status
|
Admission and Discharge Planning
|
Color Code
|
|
normal
|
normal
|
green
|
|
near capacity
|
facilitate discharges, consider delaying elective admissions
|
yellow
|
|
full capacity
|
facilitate discharges, delay elective admissions, divert admissions when feasible, set up emergency hospitals
|
red
|
