Health Law and Regulation

Hallmark Health System was fully prepared for the launch of the state's new "No Diversion" policy, which states that no hospital ER will be able to divert incoming ambulances to other hospitals.

The policy, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, was designed to prohibit hospitals from diverting patients to other hospital's ERs to avoid overcrowding in their own facilities. The only exception will be if there is an emergency such as a fire or environmental contamination within the hospital.

Although both Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital have a history of rarely going on diversion, Hallmark Health is taking the necessary steps to prepare its staff for what could be an influx of patients. A committee, made up of Hallmark Health physicians, nursing staff, hospitalists and administrators have been meeting regularly to prepare for the launch of "No Diversion." A preemptive plan, which includes looking at staffing and patient patterns as well as brainstorming sessions on best practices for expediting discharges, is also in place.

In recent years, both Hallmark Health hospitals have pursued a number of strategies to improve patient flow so they move efficiently and expeditiously through the system. Staff in the ED, along with the bed coordinator, utilizes the new electronic tracking system to assign in house beds. This helps to alleviate backups in the ER.

Source: Hallmark Health, December 29, 2008

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