Hospitals in a Hurry: The Rapid Discharge Plan

This: A big city's hospitals are suddenly overwhelmed. Maybe a big storm hit, or there's a sudden shortage of staff. What do hospitals do when they need to free up space fast? They use something called reverse triage. This means quickly deciding who can go home safely to make room for those who need urgent care. This is not a new idea, but putting it into action can be tricky. That's where the RAPID tool comes in. The RAPID tool is a 7-page checklist. It's designed to be quick and easy to use, even in the middle of a crisis. The idea was born out of a need to prepare the largest municipal healthcare system in the country for emergencies. The team behind it looked at lots of different sources—expert advice, studies, and even internal documents from hospitals. They pulled out the most important bits and made a tool that anyone can use. The RAPID tool was put to the test during a resident labor action in May 2023. It worked well, showing that it could be useful in other places too. But the work doesn't stop there. There's always room for improvement. Future efforts should focus on making the tool even better and proving that it works in different situations. Now, think about this: Hospitals are always busy, but what if they had to handle a sudden rush of patients? How would they decide who stays and who goes? The RAPID tool is one way to handle this. It's all about being ready for the unexpected and making sure that everyone gets the care they need, even in a crisis. The RAPID tool is just one example of how hospitals can be better prepared. It's a reminder that even in chaos, there are ways to stay organized and efficient. But it's also a call to action. Hospitals need to keep looking for better ways to handle emergencies. The RAPID tool is a step in the right direction, but there's always more to do.