The feasibility of increasing hospital surge capacity in disasters through early patient discharge
Hospitals are expected to be able to provide quality services during disasters. However, hospital capacity is limited and most hospital beds are almost always occupied. This study seeks to determine the feasibility of increasing hospital surge capacity during disasters through the identification of patients suitable for safe early discharge.
The researchers developed the Early Discharge Assessment Checklist to assess the dischargeability of 396 in-patients in general wards of hospitals in Alborz province, Iran. The study concludes that a considerable percentage of in-patients are dischargeable during disasters, indicating that hospital surge capacities are feasible. The checklist is an appropriate tool to provide reliable data about early dischargeability in disasters.
Explore further
