"Diversions" (rerouting of ambulances from one emergency
room to another because the closest emergency room cannot accept
any more patients) used to occur infrequently. Now they are
happening regularly across the state, strictly as a result of
a shortage of health care workers. During the past year, 55
percent of hospitals in Washington state went to divert status
because of shortages of registered nursing staff. Hospitals
are also reporting delaying surgeries because not enough workers
are available to care for critical post-operative patients.
These delays in care inevitably increase the risk of complications
for patients.
2006 Health Care Personnel Shortage, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
