Medical Surge Readiness

Medical surges--i.e., influxes of patients that exceed a hospital's normal operating capacity--put enormous strain on a hospital's ability to care for patients. Hospital representatives told us that, during some COVID-19 surges, they didn't have enough staff, supplies, or space to care for patients. Health care coalitions--regional groups of health care and response organizations--provided help, such as extra supplies. HHS funds coalitions as part of its efforts to help hospitals and others manage surges. It is also developing guidelines to help organizations deal with future surges, among other ongoing efforts.