Response to single-point and multi-point medical surge in emergencies: Lessons learned from two cases in China

Background Medical surge capacity is the ability of a medical institution to meet peak medical demand during an emergency. This study aims to explore strategies for enhancing medical surge capacity in future emergency responses to better safeguard public safety. Methods A double-case comparative analysis was conducted focusing on the characteristics and responses to the medical surge during the COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai and the nationwide epidemic in China. Results Medical surges can be categorized into "single-point surges" and "multi-point surges". While there are differences between the two, they also share many similarities. The experiences of Shanghai and China demonstrated that medical surge capacity involves more than expanding resources. It also demands coordinated management of patient monitoring and triage, information sharing, treatment process optimization, and safety maintenance. Conclusions Enhancing medical surge capacity requires the integration of surge identification, surge diversion, and resource security. Surge identification entails the timely recognition and classification of patients. Surge diversion involves directing patients to appropriate medical institutions based on this classification. Resource security supports effective surge diversion by promoting mutual assistance among medical institutions and enabling flexible adjustments to their functions.