Capacity Planning

Access this downloadable resource of a sample floor plan/layout for a large, centralized capacity management center.

Sample floor plan/layout for a large, centralized capacity management center

Hospitals use CCCs to manage patient flow, improve safety, quality, finances. Survey shows positive ROI. Explore more.

Hospitals use capacity command centers (CCCs) to manage patient flow and improve safety, quality, and finances. Effective management of hospital capacity is critical to ensuring patient safety, improving patient satisfaction and expanding access to care.

A survey of 38 US health systems' capacity leaders revealed that 25 CCCs primarily aimed to reduce ED boarding, manage beds, and handle transfers. 72% of these CCCs tracked financial return on investment (ROI), with all reporting positive results. This survey provides initial data on CCCs' motivations, functions, and performance indicators, and suggests areas for future research. Explore the benchmarking publication.

Access this downloadable resource of a sample organizational chart for a centralized capacity management center.

Sample Organizational Chart for a centralized capacity management center

The AHA hub for emergency response and disaster preparedness provides resources to strengthen and reimagine the emergency management system for the nation’s health care and public health preparedness, response and recovery efforts for natural disasters and other emergencies.

A collection of resources to support hospitals and health systems in strengthening their capabilities for emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Convening Leaders for Emergency and Response (CLEAR) is AHA’s resource hub for emergency response and disaster preparedness. 

This hub for emergency response and disaster preparedness provides resources to strengthen and reimagine the emergency management system for the nation’s health care and public health preparedness, response and recovery efforts for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Hospitals and health systems can’t simply cut costs indiscriminately. They need a systematic approach, one that considers specific segments of their patient populations.

As hospitals and health systems reposition themselves for current uncertainties and future sustainability, the ability to reduce expenses without jeopardizing access or quality becomes a coveted superpower.

Hospitals and health systems can’t simply cut costs indiscriminately. They need a systematic approach, one that considers specific segments of their patient populations. That approach must be supported by:

• A top-down culture that empowers front-line caregivers and staff to surface ideas on how to identify and help specific patient populations.
• Meaningful data to identify and quantify specific issues within those patient populations and point to solutions to those issues.
• The commitment to deploying tools and resources to execute solutions.
• The ability to track progress to resolve those issues and connect results to broader strategic objectives of a hospital or health system.

This study examines the adoption and implementation of inpatient hallway boarding as a strategy to reduce emergency department (ED) boarding—a major patient safety concern. 

This study examines the adoption and implementation of inpatient hallway boarding as a strategy to reduce emergency department (ED) boarding—a major patient safety concern. It covers what the practice involves, why it’s considered a best-practice countermeasure, and how hospitals are approaching its adoption and implementation, including barriers and considerations for capacity leaders.

Download the Spring 2025 HCMC Symposium PDF.

PDF presentation from the 2025 Spring Symposium.

Description:

Care Paths and Clinical Expediters
Presented by Vikas Parekh, Max Garifullin, Jenny Pardo, Niki Farquhar

Download the Spring 2025 HCMC Symposium PDF.

PDF presentation from the 2025 Spring Symposium.

Description:

Transformation of Operational Efficiency at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Presented by Jennifer A. O’Neill & Renata Anzalone & Ahmad Obeidat

Download the Spring 2025 HCMC Symposium PDF.

PDF presentation from the 2025 Spring Symposium.

Description:

The Return on Investment of Right Sizing: Building the Business Case for Transfer Center Growth 
Presented by Scott Jahnke & Adam Koffman

Download this Fall HCMC Symposium PDF.

PDF presentation from the 2025 Fall Symposium.

Description:

This presentation will provide a comprehensive review of the quality and safety of inter-hospital transfers. It will cover key foundational data, examine factors influencing the safety and quality of patient care during transfers and outline proposed next steps to enhance this critical aspect of health care delivery.

Presenters:

• Stephanie K. Mueller, MD, MPH, Associate Director of Clinical Research, BWH Hospitalist Service Faculty Development Director of Programs, Department of Medicine | Brigham and Women's Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School