When physicians sketch their vision of running an urgent care clinic, they may think that having a crowded waiting room would be a “good problem to have.” But when that reality hits – and the crowded waiting room gets even more crowded, it is imperative to have a surge plan in place, so that patients, physicians and staff know how to recognize a surge situation, and know what to do to avoid negatively impacting patient care or clinicians themselves. Surge goes beyond simple supply-and-demand; it is a serious and complex phenomenon. While it is most often associated with Emergency Departments, surge can happen in urgent care environments as well.
