Hospital-Based Coalition to Improve Regional Surge Capacity

The authors examined the effect of a newly-developed regional healthcare coalition (in south Central Pennsylvania) on six surge capacity-related objectives. In a two-year period, the healthcare coalition improved areas under all objectives, which focused on situational awareness of capabilities and assets among members; exercising of plans across the region; augmentation of mutual aid agreements; development and strengthening of partnerships among members; ensuring NIMS compliance; and development and testing of a volunteer plan.