Overcapacity Protocol (OCP)

The OCP is a planned escalation framework for managing critical site-wide congestion, resulting from a surge in demand for inpatient capacity. This makes it important to distingush between surge and congestion.

A surge is a sudden, signifigent increase in what is usually a relatively consistent volume of activity. It is time-limited, with an indentifiable beginning and end, and requires distinct management strategies.

See the surge vs. congestion-related Flow Fact

The plan is one of many strategies to improve our patient flow and census performance. The guiding principle is to ensure that all funded locations are used in a systematic way throughout the building, prior to one area opening up OCP locations (which are unfunded).

The new OCP, developed by frontline leaders, is principle-based and utilizes triggers from throughout the organization, versus strictly those in the Emergency Department.  

The OCP will be activated when all of the following have occured:

• The ED has reached site-specific triggers;
• All potential discharges withiin the site have been realized;
• All funded bed heads have been assigned;
• All off-service options have been exhausted.

Please review the current Overcapacity Protocol for St. Paul's and Overcapacity Protocol for MSJ.

Read the OCP-related flow fact