TABLE 1.

The Relationship between “Daily” and “Disaster” Surge

Conceptualization	Characteristics	Authors
Continuum	The “surge” concept is applied to any peak in patient census, including those associated with day-to-day operations; the focus is on individual facilities and emergency departments.	Asplin et al. 2006; Bradt etal. 2009; Handler et al. 2006; Jenkins, O'Connor, and Cone 2006; Kelen and McCarthy 2006; McCarthy, Aronsky, and Kelen 2006; Rothman et al. 2006; Schull 2006; Schull et al. 2006
Separate but related categories	The “surge” concept is applied equally to operational fluctuations and disaster contexts, which are acknowledged as different and distinct phenomena.	Avery et al. 2008; Barbisch and Koenig 2006; Kaji, Koenig, and Bey 2006
Misnomer	The “surge” concept is reserved for scenarios occasioning departures from standard operational practices; its application to daily fluctuations is deemed inappropriate and confusing.	Bonnett et al. 2007; Hick, Barbera, and Kelen 2009; Rubinson et al. 2008