Hospital “diversions” becoming more frequent

This often means that surgeons are available, but other required resources are not.

Emergency rooms can sometimes “divert” emergency patients to other hospitals.  On this date, two of Calgary’s hospitals were on diversion at the same night.

Patients can find themselves sitting with appendicitis waiting hours for an ambulance to shuttle them somewhere else.  Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Paul Parks lets us know that this delay can increase the possibility of complications and the chance of death.