So, to quote the popular TV show Myth-Busters, how do we rate the myth that diversion is a result of insufficient ED capacity?

BUSTED.

Yet another study has confirmed that diversion is NOT an Emergency Department issue.

In the April Edition of Academic Emergency Medicine, a study compared the results of doubling the size of the emergency department on diversion and delay. In the study, the ED expansion from 28 to 53 was studied to determine the effect on diversion, volume and waiting time.

The results:

Total diversions and time on diversion -- REMAINED THE SAME

ED volume -- Increased 23%

Admission holds -- Increased 67%

Waiting time for a bed -- Increased 37%

There are a lot of good reasons for increasing ED capacity, but solving your diversion and ED holding issues is NOT one of them.

[Study by Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP -- Acad Emerg Med 2007 Apr; 14:38-43]