Ambulances held hostage

When does a patient become the hospital's legal responsibility? When can EMS crews leave patients and return to service? A major factor contributing to the current shortage of available EMS personnel and units is the increasing frequency of lengthy hospital bed delays. 

In this series, learn more about the EMS legal and ethical responsibility to patients at the ED, from patient handoffs and signatures, to EMTALA, diversionary status; as well as strategies EMS agencies can deploy unilaterally to reduce ED wait times.

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About Ambulances held hostage

When does a patient become the hospital's legal responsibility? When can EMS crews leave patients and return to service? A major factor contributing to the current shortage of available EMS personnel and units is the increasing frequency of lengthy hospital bed delays. 

In this series, learn more about the EMS legal and ethical responsibility to patients at the ED, from patient handoffs and signatures, to EMTALA, diversionary status; as well as strategies EMS agencies can deploy unilaterally to reduce ED wait times.

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