Hannah Graff: All Publications, Events and Press

New Report Says Ambulance Diversions are Just another Symptom of a Struggling Health System

Communications — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:39:00 -0400

U.S. hospitals routinely turn ambulances away in an emergency -- further proof that our health system is in need of comprehensive reforms, according to a report released today by the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation.

In the report entitled, "Ambulance Diversions: What They Are, Why We Care, and What To Do," Guy Clifton, MD, neurosurgeon and Physician Advisor to the New America Foundation, suggests that ambulance diversions are a result of an increased reliance on Emergency Departments (EDs) for primary care (especially by the uninsured), inefficiencies in hospital practice, and bed capacity that is inadequate or unstaffed. "The pervasiveness of ambulance diversions puts us… more

Ambulance Diversions

Health Policy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:26:00 -0400

Every minute in the United States, an ambulance is turned away from a hospital because of a practice known as ambulance diversion. Diverting ambulances away from emergency departments (EDs) poses a serious threat to the health outcomes of both the insured and uninsured population. Ambulance diversions also indicate a struggling health system in need of comprehensive delivery system reforms.

What is an Ambulance Diversion?

An ambulance diversion occurs when a hospital ED cannot care for additional emergency patients. When a hospital is “on diversion” it redirects ambulances from their ED to another hospital or medical facility. more

IHS Reforms Long Overdue

Articles — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:19:00 -0400

On the Crow Indian Reservation this month, U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), led a hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, addressing the severe lack of federal funds and management for the Indian Health Service. IHS officials, including acting chief medical officer Dr. Charles North, and tribal members testified to the shortage of qualified health professionals, closure of health facilities and cancellation of programs midway through the fiscal year.

A bipartisan collection of senators primarily from the Senate Indian Affairs Committee are co-sponsoring legislation that would foster improvement within IHS. These changes would include, for example,… more