Regional Flexible Surge Capacity—A Flexible Response System

Abstract

Surge capacity is the ability to manage the increased influx of critically ill or injured patients during a sudden onset crisis. During such an event, all ordinary resources are activated and used in a systematic, structured, and planned way to cope with the situation. There are, however, occasions where conventional healthcare means are insufficient, and additional resources must be summoned. In such an event, the activation of existing capabilities within community resources can increase regional surge capacity in a flexible manner. These additional resources together represent the concept of Flexible Surge Capacity. This study aims to investigate the possibility of establishing a Flexible Surge Capacity response system to emergencies by examining the main components of surge capacity (Staff, Stuff, Structure, System) within facilities of interest present in the Western Region of Sweden. Through a mixed-method and use of (A) questionnaires and (B) semi-structured key-informant interviews, data was collected from potential alternative care facilities to determine capacities and capabilities and barriers and limitations as well as interest to be included in a flexible surge capacity response system. Both interest and ability were found in the investigated primary healthcare centers, veterinary and dental clinics, schools, and sports and hotel facilities to participate in such a system, either by receiving resources and/or drills and exercises. Barriers limiting the potential participation in this response system consisted of a varying lack of space, beds, healthcare materials, and competencies along with a need for clear organizational structure and medical responsibility. These results indicate that the concept of flexible surge capacity is a feasible approach to emergency management. Educational initiatives, drills and exercises, layperson empowerment, organizational and legal changes and sufficient funding are needed to realize the concept.

Alternative Leadership in Flexible Surge Capacity—The Perceived Impact of Tabletop Simulation Exercises on Thai Emergency Physicians Capability to Manage a Major Incident

“…FSC aims to provide new innovative solutions to these shortcomings [10]. Other reports have high lightened the need for FSC and discussed the need for ACF [30]. This paper tried to examine the possibility of using a simulation model to increase the knowledge and understanding of a new set of professionals to lead MID management.…”

“…In a future with limited resources and expanding needs, civilian help can be decisive in creating Resilience in each society [31][32][33]. The same method and elements can be used to educate other groups of people to act at different levels of management or maybe increase their awareness about any given event to mitigate the adverse outcomes of any incidents [15,[30][31][32][33][34].…”

“…The 3LC increases the ability, knowledge, and attitude of Thai emergency physicians in managing MID. It also enables them to lead emergency management in an unexpected situation, as alternative leaders in a flexible surge capacity-response system [10,30].…”

Disasters and Public Health Emergencies—Current Perspectives in Preparedness and Response

“…Besides preventive measures and proper preparedness, the response to the disaster and public health emergency management requires both structural and non-structural resources. Glantz et al emphasize the concept of flexible surge capacity and the need for extra resources in an expanding emergency to increase local and regional surge capacity in a flexible manner [18]. They investigated the use of alternative care facilities within a community and found interest and ability in the primary healthcare centers; veterinary and dental clinics; and schools, sports, and hotel facilities, to participate in such a system, either by receiving resources and/or drills and exercises.…”

The Feasibility of Implementing the Flexible Surge Capacity Concept in Bangkok: Willing Participants and Educational Gaps

“…Therefore, the amplification of MID consequences requires another effort of surge capacity, i.e., "flexible surge capacity" (FSC). FSC aims at scaling up and down all viable resources in the community in terms of all four elements of surge capacity mentioned above [10][11][12]. As an example, in a previous study, using emergency physicians as alternative leadership in the management of MIDs was discussed within the concept of FSC [10,13].…”