Ambulance Diversion: Ethical Dilema and Necessary Evil.
Am J Emerg Med. 2015 Mar 12;
Authors: Adkins EJ, Werman HA
Abstract
Ambulance diversion presents a dilemma pitting the ethical principles of patient autonomy and beneficence against the principles of justice and nonmaleficence. The guiding priority in requesting ambulance diversion is to maintain the safety of all patients in the emergency department as well as those waiting to be seen. Policies and procedures can be developed that maintain the best possible outcome for patients transported by ambulance during periods of diversion. More importantly, the discussion must focus on addressing the operational inefficiencies within our health systems that lead to conditions such as patient boarding, high waiting room congestion, and ambulance diversion. Addressing these inefficiencies has a greater potential impact on ambulance diversion than simply banning or restricting the practice for practical or ethical considerations.
PMID: 25802099 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]