Hospital diversion scheme draws ire of national ED organizations.
The controversy over a new diversion policy at the University of Chicago Medical Center points out the pitfalls that can arise when seeking creative solutions to overcrowding and financial concerns, especially when it comes to compliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Here are some warnings offered by the experts: Your physicians must participate in all medical screening exams. You always can be second-guessed as to whether a case was "urgent." When conducting financial analyses, look at what visits actually cost you, not what you charge for care.
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D002641:Chicago; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000191:economics