Ambulance Diversion: A Solution or Problem?

Abstract

Aim:Ambulance diversion (AD) is defined as redirection of ambulance to an emergency department (ED) different from the initially intended ED with the purpose of both appropriate use of hospital sources for selected patients and relief of ED overcrowding. In the present study, the authors sought to perform a comprehensive analysis of ADs in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.Materials and Methods:In this retrospective study, a comprehensive analysis of reasons for AD and the disposition data in the receiving hospital of patients diverted by ambulances of Ankara 112 Emergency Medical Service throughout 2014 (01 January-31 December 2014) was performed.Results:A total of 174.669 patients were transferred by ambulance to EDs and of those 1.300 ADs (0.74%) occured. The causes of AD were respectively lack of bed in intensive care unit (ICU), inpatient care ward or EDs (639 AD, 49.1%), shortage of on-call specialist doctors (242 AD, 18.6%), and insufficent radiology, laboratory equipment and other resources (174 AD, 13.3%).Conclusion:Unavailability of patient beds in EDs, ICUs or inpatient clinics are the most common causes of AD.

Keywords

• ambulance diversion
• emergency medicine services
• emergency department overcrowding
• emergency department