Objective To explore the capacity building pathways for medical surge in general hospitals along the Guangxi border in the context of peacetime⁃emergency integration. Methods Based on the results of questionnaire surveys, an analytical framework for medical surge capacity building in general hospitals along the Guangxi border was constructed using the 4S theory (a core component of medical surge capacity). This framework was then analyzed in conjunction with the actual situation of infectious disease prevention and control in the Guangxi border region. Results Eight border hospitals in Guangxi, all classified as national Class Ⅱ Grade A general hospitals, were included. In 2023, these hospitals collectively had 3509 open beds, 85 ICU open beds, 4195 health personnel, and 1675 permanent staff positions, with an average vacancy rate of 23.81%. The total annual outpatient volume was 2 259 233 person⁃time, and the average bed occupancy rate was 80.23%. (1) Regarding emergency supplies reserve: the average numbers per hospital of the 8 hospitals were 0.250 for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines, 29.250 for ventilators, 6.500 for negative⁃pressure rooms, 39.500 for infectious disease beds, 5.625 for ambulances, 1.625 for negative⁃pressure ambulances, and 0.625 for negative⁃pressure operating rooms. Medical emergency supplies reserves could generally meet the demand for 30 days of full⁃capacity operation. Only 2 hospitals were equipped with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines, and 2 hospitals had not yet set up infectious disease beds. (2) Regarding emergency staff training: all 8 hospitals conducted offline theoretical training for staff, with content covering emergency response and emergency treatment. Seven hospitals provided emergency protection training. Only a few hospitals conducted training on Hospital Information System operation (2 hospitals) and emergency support training related to public health emergencies in neighboring countries (1 hospital). The assessment format in most hospitals (6 hospitals) was primarily theoretical; only a smaller number also employed scenario simulation (3 hospitals) or on⁃site drill assessments (2 hospitals). (3) Regarding emergency space structure: all 8 hospitals had established independent fever clinics and biosafety level 2 laboratories. Four hospitals had set up public health departments. However, a few hospitals (2 hospitals) lacked independent infectious disease zones and sites available for temporary ward conversion. Few hospitals were equipped with ventilation systems (3 hospitals) or air purification devices (2 hospitals). (4) Regarding emergency plans and system development: all 8 hospitals had developed emergency plans for public health emergencies, with most having plans for accident disasters (7 hospitals) and natural disasters (6 hospitals). The emergency plans of all 8 hospitals included content on infection control, emergency response, treatment and transfer of the injured, and public health emergency monitoring and early warning, etc. However, one hospital's plan did not cover information reporting, and only a few hospitals' plans (3 hospitals) addressed health emergency communication and coordination with neighboring countries under emergency situations. Conclusion While certain achievements have been made in building medical surge capacity in Guangxi's border general hospitals, challenges persist. These include insufficient capacity for the reserve and deployment of emergency supplies, a shortage of health human resources, a need for further optimization of internal hospital spatial structures, and inadequate emergency system development. Future efforts should focus on: strengthening the reserve and deployment capacity of hospital emergency supplies, enhancing the development of the health workforce in border areas, optimizing hospital spatial layout and structure to solidify the hardware foundation for emergency care, and continuously improving emergency plans to further advance the construction of the hospital public health emergency response system. These measures will effectively enhance the overall medical surge capacity of border general hospitals and promote their high⁃quality development.

无