Surge Capacity Estimate Calculator

Work out surge capacity estimate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Surge Capacity Estimate Calculator

Separates physical surge capacity from staffed capacity, since staffing rather than space usually limits real surge.

Formula

Surge capacity

Physical surge = baseline beds x surge percentage; usable surge = physical surge x staffable share

Worked example

With the default values below, Surge Capacity Estimate Calculator returns Total usable beds at surge of 248.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Baseline staffed bedsaccepts 1–10,000: 200
Physical surge expansionaccepts 0–200: 30
Share of surge beds that can be staffedaccepts 10–100: 80

Results

Total usable beds at surge: 248.0
Physical surge beds created: 60.0
Surge beds that can be staffed: 48.0
Effective expansion over baseline: 24.00%

Step by step

1Values used
2Surge capacity
3Total usable beds at surge= 248.0
4Physical surge beds created= 60.0
5Surge beds that can be staffed= 48.0
6Effective expansion over baseline= 24.00

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does staffing dominate?

Beds without trained staff cannot safely take patients, so workforce is the binding constraint in almost every surge plan.

What are the four Ss?

Space, staff, stuff and systems: the standard framework for assessing surge capacity.