Statewide Transfer Coordination and Patient Transfer Rates Among Hospitals During Occupancy Stress

In this cohort study of 8 US states, pandemic initiation of a SMOCC was associated with an immediate increase in transfer rates between hospitals of approximately 35% after establishment and, after a potential lag, appeared to meet an increasing demand for transferring patients during surges. These results suggest that activating SMOCCs during large-scale public health emergencies might improve access to care and mitigate transfer gridlocks, but their utility during routine times warrants study.