--- title: "The Small Hospital’s Guide: Preparing for Patient Surges in Disasters" description: Preparing for a patient surge in small hospitals is challenging and requires the coordination of many moving parts. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters.png --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [The Small Hospital’s Guide: Preparing for Patient Surges in Disasters](https://blog.sscor.com/the-small-hospitals-guide-preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Sep 17, 2021 8:00:00 AM 3 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-small-hospitals-guide-preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/the-small-hospitals-guide-preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters#) 0 ![preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters.png](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters.png?width=704&name=preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters.png "preparing-for-patient-surges-in-disasters.png") Hospitals can generally anticipate an increase in patient volume following a disaster in the community. However, as disasters such as Hurricane Ida have demonstrated, this surge may persist even beyond the immediate influx of patients, especially if there is significant local damage. From dialysis centers to ambulatory care clinics to outpatient chemotherapy–if other health care facilities are inoperable, those patients will rely on the nearest hospital for their medical needs.   For a small hospital with already limited resources, this can be a tremendous stress. Yet as more emphasis is being placed on disaster preparedness, even small hospitals should take the steps to proactively meet these challenges. [![New: Get strategies to minimize supply disruption during a disaster. Download the FREE e-book.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/203f7156-d8dd-419d-bf6c-7690ef2032cd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/203f7156-d8dd-419d-bf6c-7690ef2032cd) An article in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing discussed [planning for patient surges](http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol142009/No2May09/Articles-Previous-Topics/Surge-Capacity.html) by focusing on the four S’s: Staff, Stuff, Structure and Systems. Using this as a framework, the small hospital can be certain to address all of the key components. **** **** ## **Staff** Clearly when a hospital has more patients, more staff will be needed to provide patient care. Every hospital should develop an emergency staffing plan that can be implemented as needed during a crisis situation. Both clinical and non-clinical staff will be needed to work additional shifts or be on-call as necessary. Make certain to have a printed list of all workforce members and pertinent contact information in case computer systems are down. Small hospitals should also have arrangements with other nearby healthcare facilities to help provide supplemental staff if needed. Consider other community and volunteer resources as well to assist with non-clinical duties. **** **** ## **Stuff** Stuff refers to the additional supplies that will be needed during a disaster. The hospital should have a backup supply of extra equipment that can be used to accommodate the increased number of patients. This includes cots, IV supplies, oxygen tanks and[portable suction equipment](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator.html). Keep in mind that patient care may occur in areas that are not routinely equipped for it, so[battery-powered](https://www.sscor.com/dcell_suction_hospital_aspirator.html) and manual devices will be useful. Extra personal protective equipment for staff members will be needed as well.   Maintain a stockpile of the most commonly used pharmaceuticals. Keep a log of expiration dates, so that medications are cycled back into regular rotation before they are no longer usable.   As with staffing, mutual aid agreements with other hospitals can be an excellent source of needed supplies during a disaster. . ## **Structure** The structural component involves identifying additional locations within the hospital where patients can be treated, as well as nearby facilities that can be set up as alternate care areas in an emergency. Additionally, during a patient surge, stable patients may be able to be discharged to open up beds for the more acutely ill or injured. During the planning period, determine if there are other nearby locations where discharged patients can be moved until arrangements can be made to get them home. **** **** ## **Systems** Every disaster preparedness plan should involve the creation of an [incident command system](https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(20)30648-0/pdf) and explain how to activate it in a disaster. The incident command system will clearly define who is in charge and provide a standard operating procedure for the entire process.   A successful plan must also establish secondary means of communications if normal means are interrupted. During a disaster power lines may be down and telephones may not function, yet the hospital needs to communicate internally and with state and local authorities. Make sure your communication system includes things such as satellite phones, citizen band radio or walkie-talkies.   Preparing for a patient surge is challenging and requires the coordination of many moving parts. With proper planning, a small hospital can continue to deliver safe patient care amidst the crisis.       Editor's Note: The blog was previously published in Dec 2015. It has been updated with recent information.  Topics: [Patient Transport](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/patient-transport), [Emergency Preparedness](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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