Snarl EMS Systems Nationwide Medics tied up awaiting open beds By Marion Angell Garza EMS systems across the United States and Canada are wrestling with problems created by overcrowded emergency departments and hospital diversions. Hospital administrators blame the problem primarily on a shortage of nurses and staffed beds for admitted patients. This is an ongoing medical crisis. New York's EMS director Ed Wronski reported that patients sometimes stay in New York City EDs four to seven days waiting for an open bed.
Flu exacerbates the problem, but it's the health-care system and loss of nursing staff.
He warned other state EMS directors to expect similar problems. He advised state directors to collect data, gather examples of best practices, form task forces and create plans to deal with ED waits and diversions. The group also asked hospitals to stop holding admitted patients in the ED so EMS systems and EDs can serve their primary mission and agreed to communicate these concerns to such organizations as the American Hospital Association, state and federal health planners and the public. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently formed a task force to tackle the issue. Boston has 10 hospitals.