Optimizing Emergency Response in Hospitals: A Systematic Review of Surge Capacity Planning and Crisis Resource...

Background: Healthcare systems worldwide face growing challenges in anticipating and managing patient surges, particularly in times of public health crises, natural disasters, or seasonal peaks. The ability of healthcare organisations to forecast and respond to such demand fluctuations-referred to as organisational readiness for patient capacity surge-has become a critical determinant of service continuity and patient outcomes. Despite the urgency, there remains a lack of consolidated evidence on how healthcare authorities measure, evaluate, and operationalise this readiness. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesise existing literature that presents case studies, methodologies, and strategic frameworks used to evaluate organisational preparedness for patient surge capacity. It also explores resource allocation mechanisms, hospital capacity planning algorithms, and temporary facility strategies documented in healthcare settings. Methods: The review was conducted across two major scientific repositories, i.e., PubMed and Web of Science (WoS). A set of four structured search queries were formulated to capture the breadth of the topic, focusing on demand forecasting, hospital capacity planning, workforce models, and resource management within the context of healthcare surge demand. The search was limited to publications from the last 10 years (2014-2024) to ensure the inclusion of contemporary practices and technologies. Results: A total of 142 articles were selected for detailed analysis. The articles were categorised into six thematic groups: (i) empirical case studies on healthcare surge management; (ii) hospital resources and capacity scaling; (iii) ethical frameworks guiding surge response; (iv) IT-driven algorithms and forecasting tools; (v) policy evaluations and actionable lessons learned; and (vi) existing systematic reviews in related domains. Notably, several articles provided evidence-based frameworks and simulation models supporting predictive planning, while others highlighted real-world implementation of temporary care facilities and staff redeployment protocols. Conclusions: The review underscores the fragmented yet growing body of literature addressing the multidimensional nature of surge preparedness in healthcare. While algorithmic forecasting and capacity modelling are advancing, gaps remain in standardising metrics for organisational readiness and incorporating ethical considerations in surge planning. Limitations of this review include potential selection bias and the subjective categorisation of articles. Future research should aim to develop integrative frameworks that couple technical, operational, and ethical readiness for patient surge scenarios.