Hospital Disaster Preparedness

Guidance: Health Care Facility Use of Surge Tents

Hospitals facing a sudden rise in emergency department patients may find it necessary to establish a surge tent for triage purposes.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance to assist hospitals in preparing for tent utilization, delineating requirements for obtaining written authorization for tent deployment. It outlines key considerations for planning, setting up, and operating surge tents to expand health care capacity during times of increased patient demand.

Additionally, the California Hospital Association published a memo addressing the use of surge tents in hospitals. These resources can aid in streamlining the approval process for hospitals deploying surge tents.