In reality you may not learn about a hospital s diversion status until you sign on with C-MED for your traffic to that facility. This problem is currently being addressed and the implementation of a notification system, known as a broadcast communicator, is nearing. This system will have the capabilities to automatically notify appropriate agencies of a hospital s diversion status once activated by a single C-MED call. The routes of notification will include any combination of phone recording, pager and fax. This system is running in Region II as a pilot project and will be expanded to the other regions in the next few weeks.
Diversion is an evolving process requiring understanding.
It is imperative that each EMS provider working in Region III have a working knowledge of the diversion policy. For the first time these standards are both evidenced based and international in scope. In September, NorthEast EMS Staff attended the Citizens CPR Foundation Conference in San Diego, CA to learn about the changes and how to best prepare for their implementation within the Statewide Treatment Protocols in Massachusetts. The task force, chaired by the NorthEast EMS Executive Director, Jonathan L. Epstein, will soon meet to begin the process of evaluating the new guidelines for protocol implementation. Providers should continue to follow the guidelines of the Statewide Treatment Protocols and not the AHA guidelines as published.