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  • Title: Use of "shuttered" hospitals to expand surge capacity.
    Author: Zane RD, Biddinger P, Ide L, Phillips S, Hurd D, Buatti L, Eustace H, Amsden M, Carr D, Hassol A.
    Journal: Prehosp Disaster Med; 2008; 23(2):121-7. PubMed ID: 18557291.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: With limited available hospital beds in most urban areas, there are very few options when trying to relocate patients already within the hospital to make room for incoming patients from a mass-casualty incident (MCI) or epidemic (a patient surge). This study investigates the possibility and process for utilizing shuttered (closed or former) hospitals to accept medically stable, ambulatory patients transferred from a tertiary medical facility. METHODS: Two recently closed, acute care hospitals were evaluated critically to determine if they could be made ready to accept inpatients within 3-7 days of a MCI. This surge facility ideally would be able to support 200-300 patients/beds. Two generic scenarios were used for planning: (1) a patient surge (including one caused by conventional war or terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, or a disaster caused by natural hazards) requiring transfer of ambulatory, medically-stable inpatients to another facility in an effort to increase capacity at existing hospitals; and (2) a bio-event or epidemic where a shuttered hospital could be used as an isolation facility. RESULTS: Both recently closed hospitals had significant, but different challenges to reopening, although with careful planning and resource allocation it would be possible to reopen them within 3-7 days. Planning was the most conclusive recommendation. It does not appear possible to reopen shuttered hospitals with major structural deterioration or a complete lack of current mission (i.e., no current utilities). Staffing would represent the most challenging issue as a surge facility would represent an incremental additional need for existing and scarce human resources. CONCLUSIONS: With careful planning, a shuttered hospital could be reopened and ready to accept patients within 3-7 days of a MCI or epidemic.
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