Leveraging Observation Units for Disaster Response: Cases of Efficient Care Delivery in Disaster Incidents.

ABSTRACT: Emergency department observation units (EDOUs) have been shown to improve hospital operations and capacity during normal operations; however, their role in a disaster or surge event remains unclear. This is a retrospective case series of hospitals that leveraged an EDOU in the setting of a disaster or surge event. Cases were solicited from members of the American College of Emergency Physicians Observation Medicine Section and a review of published literature. Cases were organized under the context of CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) and environmental disasters. Seven cases were identified across chemical (2), biological (3), and environmental (2) disaster types. In all instances, EDOUs supported continued ED operational flow, enhanced patient surge capacity,

SUBMITTER: Emeli IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12825054 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature