Hospital Surge Capacity Reading

How contagious pathogens could lead to nuke-level casualties

Abstract: Milana Trounce offers a course called Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response, which aims to get students thinking about how to prevent bioterror and, in the event of a biological attack, what to do about it.

MLA Citation: Golman, Bruce. "How contagious pathogens could lead to nuke-level casualties." Medical Xpress, 19 May 2014. Web.

Live Link: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-contagious-pathogens-nuke-level-casualties.html

Dominican Hospital has treated 12 flu cases with six requiring intensive care

Abstract: Local health facilities reported Friday they have pushed employees to get vaccinated as California public health officials sounded the alarm about swine flu-related deaths on the rise. The patient surge was only partly driven by flu cases — the hospital happened to be very full.

MLA Citation: Gumz, Jondi. "Dominican Hospital has treated 12 flu cases with six requiring intensive care." Santa Cruz Sentinel, 10 Jan 2014. Web.

St. Charles hospitals filled to capacity-Hospitals in Pacific Northwest hit hard by flu

Abstract: The four St. Charles hospitals are experiencing extremely high patient volumes this week, leaving hospital officials scrambling to accommodate all of the region’s critical care patients. St. Charles Bend canceled several elective surgeries scheduled for Wednesday morning to avoid adding patients to an already full intensive care unit, and prepared other areas in the hospital with the proper staffing and technology needed to take care of sicker patients.

MLA Citation: Hawryluk, Markian. "St. Charles hospitals filled to capacity-Hospitals in Pacific Northwest hit hard by flu." The Bulletin, 9 Jan 2014. Web.

Live Link: http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/1669237-151/st-charles-hospitals-filled-to-capacity#

Hospital Bed Surge Capacity in the Event of a Mass-Casualty Incident

Abstract: Traditional strategies to determine hospital bed surge capacity have relied on cross-sectional hospital census data, which underestimate the true surge capacity in the event of a mass-casualty incident. The objective of the article is to determine hospital bed surge capacity for the County more accurately using physician and nurse manager assessments for the disposition of all in-patients at multiple facilities.

MLA Citation: Davis, Daniel P. et al. "Hospital Bed Surge Capacity in the Event of a Mass-Casualty Incident." Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, May-June 2005. Web.

Live Link: http://ispro.it/wiki/images/4/49/La_capacità_di_posti_in_MCI_di_Davis_(en).pdf

Enhancing Hospital Surge Capacity for Mass Casualty Events

Abstract: Two days after the 2008 presidential election, the Government Accountability Office identified 13 “urgent issues” President-elect Obama and the 111th Congress should address during the transition period and first year of the new administration. One of the issues, preparing for large-scale health emergencies, is particularly relevant to the US health care system.

MLA Citation: Peleg, Kobi and Kellerman, Arthur L. "Enhancing Hospital Surge Capacity for Mass Casualty Events." The Journal of the American Medical Association, 5 Aug 2009. Web.

Live Link: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=184323

Inpatient disposition classification for the creation of hospital surge capacity: a multiphase study

MLA Citation: Kelen, Gabor D. et al. " Inpatient disposition classification for the creation of hospital surge capacity: a multiphase study." The Lancet, 2 Dec 2006. Web.

Live Link: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(06)69808-5/fulltext

Health Systems’ “Surge Capacity”: State of the Art and Priorities for Future Research

Abstract: Over the past decade, a number of high-impact natural hazard events, together with the increased recognition of pandemic risks, have intensified interest in health systems’ ability to prepare for, and cope with, “surges” (sudden large-scale escalations) in treatment needs. In this article, key concepts are identified and components associated with this emerging research theme.

MLA Citation: Coker, Richard, James W. Rudge & Samantha K. Watson. "Health Systems’ 'Surge Capacity': State of the Art and Priorities for Future Research." The Millbank Quarterly, 14 March 2013. Web.

Live Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/milq.12003/full

Current Hospital Disaster Preparedness

Abstract: Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, substantial resources have been devoted to improving disaster preparedness in the United States, with an emphasis on mitigating terrorist threats. Adequate preparedness can only be achieved with a comprehensive approach that connects local, state, and federal programs. At the local level, planning should include all critical disaster health care resources, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, alternate care facilities, public health departments, and emergency medical services systems.

MLA Citation: Kaji, Amy H. & Kristi L. Koenig. "Current Hospital Disaster Preparedness." The Journal of the American Medical Association, 14 Nov 2007. Web.

Live Link: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=209407

Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Los Angeles County

Abstract: Among hospitals in Los Angeles County, disaster preparedness and surge capacity appear to be limited by a failure to fully integrate interagency training and planning and a severely limited surge capacity, although there is a generally high level of availability of equipment and supplies.

MLA Citation: Kaji, Amy H. & Roger J. Lewis. "Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Los Angeles County." Wiley Online Library, 28 Jun 2008. Web.

Live Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1197/j.aem.2006.05.007/abstract

Improving Hospital Surge Capacity: A New Concept for Emergency Credentialing of Volunteers

Abstract: In the event of a large-scale terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other public health emergency, hospitals could not absorb the thousands of victims generated by the catastrophe. Even if hospitals can increase bed capacity by 20% to 30%, as some suggest, the problem of staffing these beds remains unresolved. One possibility is to rapidly increase hospital staff by providing emergency credentialing to volunteer health care professionals.

MLA Citation: Schultz, Carl H. & Samuel J. Stratton. "Improving Hospital Surge Capacity: A New Concept for Emergency Credentialing of Volunteers." Science DIrect, 5 May 2007. Web.

Live Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196064406023493

Fraser Health hospital emergency rooms ‘in chaos,’ says B.C. Nurses’ Union

Abstract: The B.C. Nurses’ Union says overcrowded emergency rooms, long wait times, and inadequate staffing are compromising the care of patients in the Fraser Valley. Emergency rooms in some of the region’s hospitals are “in chaos,” the union said.

MLA Citation: Chan, Cheryl. "Fraser Health hospital emergency rooms ‘in chaos,’ says B.C. Nurses’ Union." The Province, 31 Oct 2013. Web.

Supervisors Approve $26M Contract with Consultants Hired to Save Hospital

Abstract: A divided Board of Supervisors today approved a $25.85 million contract with a healthcare consulting firm to develop and implement a strategy to prevent the Riverside County Regional Medical Center from falling into financial ruin.

MLA Citation: Avants, Maggie. "Supervisors Approve $26M Contract with Consultants Hired to Save Hospital." Murrieta Patch, 5 Nov 2013. Web.

Live Link: http://murrieta.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/supervisors-approved-26m-contract-with-consultants-hired-to-save-hospital

Temporary ward to be built at Princess Alexandra Hospital to cope with winter demand

Abstract: A NEW modular ward to cope with increasing demand over the winter period is to be built at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

The hospital continually runs close to capacity and any surge in demand due to bad or extremely cold weather or winter illness leaves it struggling to find all the beds required. The hospital continually runs close to capacity and any surge in demand due to bad or extremely cold weather or winter illness leaves it struggling to find all the beds required.

MLA Citation: Gardner, Gemma. "Temporary ward to be built at Princess Alexandra Hospital to cope with winter demand." Harlow Star, 6 Nov 2013. Web.

Live Link: http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/News/Harlow-news/Temporary-ward-to-be-built-at-Princess-Alexandra-Hospital-to-cope-with-winter-demand-20131106094720.htm

State of Research in High-consequence Hospital Surge Capacity

Abstract: "High-consequence surge research involves a systems approach that includes elements such as healthcare facilities, out-of-hospital systems, mortuary services, public health, and sheltering. This article focuses on one aspect of this research, hospital surge capacity, and discusses a definition for such capacity, its components, and future considerations. While conceptual definitions of surge capacity exist, evidence-based practical guidelines for hospitals require enhancement."

MLA Citation: Koenig, Kristi & Carl Schultz. "State of Research in High-consequence Hospital Surge Capacity." Wiley Online Library, 28 Jun 2008. Web.

Live Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1197/j.aem.2006.06.033/abstract

Surge Capacity for Response to Bioterrorism in Hospital Clinical Microbiology Laboratories

Abstract: "There are concerns that hospital laboratories may have inadequate surge capacities to deal with a significant bioterrorism incident. A workflow analysis of a clinical microbiology laboratory that serves an urban medical center was performed to identify barriers to surge capacity in the setting of a bioterrorism event and to identify solutions to these problems."

MLA CItation: Shapiro, Daniel. "Surge Capacity for Response to Bioterrorism in Hospital Clinical Microbiology Laboratories." Journal of Microbial Biology, Dec 2003. Web.

Live Link: http://jcm.asm.org/content/41/12/5372.full

Guidelines for Pediatric Hospital Responses to Increased Patient Volume

Abstract: The special medical needs of children make it essential that health care facilities be prepared for both pediatric and adult victims of bioterrorism attacks and other public health emergencies. With the recommendations provided in this review, clinicians and hospital administrators will be able to develop unique responses to mass casualty events involving pediatric patients. Following the all-hazards approach, the recommendations within this monograph can also be used in consequence management after a public health emergency such as pandemic influenza.

MLA Citation: Boyer, Edward et. al. "Guidelines for Pediatric Hospital Responses to Increased Patient Volume." Agency for Healthcare Research and Qulaity, Jan 2009. Web.

Live Link: http://archive.ahrq.gov/prep/pedhospital/

Inpatient disposition classification for the creation of hospital surge capacity: a multiphase study

Abstract: The ability to provide medical care during sudden increases in patient volume during a disaster or other high-consequence event is a serious concern for health-care systems. Identification of inpatients for safe early discharge (ie, reverse triage) could create additional hospital surge capacity. We sought to develop a disposition classification system that categorises inpatients according to suitability for immediate discharge on the basis of risk tolerance for a subsequent consequential medical event.

MLA Citation: Bass, Eric et. al. "Inpatient disposition classification for the creation of hospital surge capacity: a multiphase study." Johns Hopkins University, 02 Dec 2006. Web.

Live Link: http://www.hopkins-cepar.org/sebin/w/g/Inpatient_disposition.pdf

Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

Abstract: “In addition, the report concludes that major gaps remain in many critical areas of preparedness, including surge capacity, rapid disease detection, and food safety; and it contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators.”

MLA Citation: Levi, J., Vinter, S., St Laurent, R., & Segal, L. M. “Ready or not? protecting the public's health from diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism.” Trust for America's Health 2008.

Live Link: http://search.proquest.com/docview/58803390?accountid=14512

In a Moment’s Notice: Surge Capacity for Terrorist Bombings

Abstract: Document that includes a description of system-wide and discipline-specific challenges as well as recommended solutions to terrorism such as explosive devices and high-velocity firearms. (abstract used)

MLA Citation: Gerberding, Julie. “In a Moment’s Notice: Surge Capacity for Terrorist Bombings.” CDCP. (April 2007): 3-47. Print.

Live Link: http://emergency.cdc.gov/masscasualties/pdf/cdc_surge-508.pdf

Bioterrorism and Mass Casualty Preparedness in Hospitals: United States, 2003

Abstract: Study that examines the content of hospital terrorism preparedness emergency response plans (whether those plans had been updated since September 11, 2011)

MLA Citation: Niska, Richard. “Bioterrorism and Mass Casualty Preparedness in Hospitals: United States, 2003.” DHHS Publication. (Sept 2005): 1-14. Print.

Live link: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad364.pdf

The experience at St. Vincent's Hospital, Manhattan, on September 11, 2001: preparedness, response, and lessons learned

From abstract: “Here, we outline the Emergency Management External Disaster Plan of St. Vincent's Hospital and discuss the time course of presentation and medical characteristics of the critically injured patients on that day. We describe how the critical care service adapted to the specific challenges presented and the lessons that we learned. We hope to provide other critical care systems with a framework for response to such large-scale disasters.”

MLA Citation: Kirschenbaum, L. “The experience at St. Vincent's Hospital, Manhattan, on September 11, 2001: preparedness, response, and lessons learned.” Critical Care Medicine 33:1 (2005) S48-S52.

Live link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15640679