Statewide Transfer Coordination and Patient Transfer Rates Among Hospitals During Occupancy Stress.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Some US states established state medical operations coordination centers (SMOCCs) during the pandemic to coordinate transfers and maximize care delivery when available beds were limited. Understanding their associations might inform their continued value in helping reduce delays and minimize strain during public health emergency conditions.

Objective

To examine the association of SMOCC establishment with adult interhospital transfers (IHTs) during pandemic surges.

Design, setting, and participants

This interrupted time series cohort study evaluated hospitalized adults (aged ≥18 years) from 8 US states. Data analysis was completed in March 2025.

Exposure

SMOCC establishment. SMOCC initiation was adjudicated through a published survey and inquiries wit

SUBMITTER: Richert ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12670198 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature