Hospital-Based Coalition to Improve Regional Surge Capacity

Bottom line: Work as a regional team, train together often, and use shared systems to increase real-world surge capacity. This study shows that hospitals can handle more patients during disasters by forming a regional coalition with EMS and emergency management. Key actions include building formal partnerships, sharing real-time information, running regular exercises, and setting clear, measurable goals. The coalition improved communication systems, created mutual aid agreements, and trained staff and volunteers. It also tested plans through exercises and used data to fix gaps. As a result, hospitals increased available beds and improved coordination during emergencies. The main lesson: preparedness improves when organizations plan, train, and operate together as one system, not separately.