Massachusetts orders hospitals to stop ambulance diversions

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September 17, 2008

Massachusetts has ordered all hospitals to stop diverting ambulances when their emergency rooms (ER) are full, reports The Boston Globe. The Massachusetts Department of Health said that this practice has not impacted the problem of ER overcrowding, which is the main reason that hospitals send ambulances away. Although diversion gives hospitals a chance to catch up with their case load temporarily, it does not impact overall patient flow.

In addition, diversion creates additional problems. These range from new overcrowding issues at different facilities, ambulances being tied up while transporting patients from one facility to another, and patients being unable to choose which hospital they are sent to. The ban would go into effect on January 1, 2009.

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