emergency department diversion

Emergency department (ED) diversion occurs when a hospital temporarily redirects incoming emergency cases to other nearby hospitals due to capacity issues, such as overcrowding or resource shortages. This helps manage patient flow and ensures existing patients receive appropriate care. During diversion, ambulances are usually rerouted, and hospitals communicate with emergency services to coordinate patient transfers. Diversion is a safety measure used to prevent overcrowding, preserve the quality of care, and avoid ambulance delays, but it also means patients may need to travel farther or wait longer before receiving treatment.