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Hospital Surge Capacity: Challenges and Strategies in Emergencies and Disasters
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Fatemeh Zarezadeh Mehrizi1   , Adel Eftekhari *2 |
1- Student Research Committee, Geriatric Care Research Center, Nursing and Midwifery School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Nursing Department, Meybod Medical Sciences School, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran |
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Abstract: (18 Views) |
Dear Editor
Hospital surge capacity refers to a hospital’s ability to manage a sudden influx of patients that exceeds its routine capacity during disasters or emergencies. As patient volume rises, the need for additional space, staff, equipment, and other resources becomes increasingly evident, particularly during outbreaks of communicable diseases. Previous experiences, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrated that health systems that had prepared in advance to expand surge capacity were better able to manage crises and reduce mortality. Therefore, it is essential to study and analyze this issue to provide effective solutions for improving the current situation.
Increasing hospital capacity can be defined as the ability to manage a sudden influx of patients beyond normal levels due to disasters or emergencies. As hospital visits increase, the demand for additional facilities and resources becomes more pronounced, particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Previous experiences, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have demonstrated that health systems that proactively prepared to expand their capacity were more effective in managing crises and reducing mortality rates. |
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| Keywords: Hospital, Overcapacity, Strategy, Accidents, Disasters |
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Full-Text [PDF 473 kb]
(1 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Letter to Editor |
Subject:
Health services management
Received: 2025/03/16 | Revised: 2025/06/9 | Accepted: 2025/07/10 | Published: 2026/06/30
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