Despite fears, ambulance diversion ban does no Harm

NEW YORK, Feb 1: Ending a practice that was intended to reduce emergency room crowding did not make things worse, and may have prompted improvements at nine Boston hospitals, according to a new study. US emergency departments have been diverting patients since the late 1990s, sending ambulances to other hospitals when conditions are crowded – despite evidence that sending seriously ill or injured patients away delays their treatment.

(agencies)