In the event of EMS surge and hospital diversion, what happens to a patient's choice of facility?

In the context of EMS surge and hospital diversion, the correct understanding lies in acknowledging that patient choice of facility can be influenced by medical guidelines and the realities of the situation. During moments of high demand for emergency services, hospitals may need to implement diversion protocols to ensure they can adequately provide care to patients already admitted or waiting for treatment.

In such scenarios, medical guidelines come into play, determining which hospitals are best equipped to handle incoming patients based on their current capabilities, available resources, and the nature of the medical emergencies facing patients.

If a hospital is on diversion due to an overload of patients, EMS services may need to redirect patients to other hospitals that are capable of accepting them, regardless of the patient's original choice. This ensures that care is provided efficiently and effectively, prioritizing the immediate medical needs of patients over individual preferences. As a result, while patients do generally have preferences regarding where they would like to receive care, those choices can become limited when public health and safety protocols dictate a more strategic approach to resource allocation during times of crisis.