Between 2001 and 2011, researchers analyzed diversion logs from 26 California counties.
Here are four insights:
1. Of the almost 30,000 patients, 50 percent had no diversion, 25 percent had six hours or less of diversion, 15 percent had between 6 hours and 12 hours of diversion and 10 percent had more than 12 hours of diversion.
2. Researchers noted patients in minority-serving hospitals were more likely to suffer diversion.
3. Those patients with more than 12 hours of diversion experienced a 4.4 percent reduction in access to cardiac care units and a 3.4 percent reduction in access to catheterization labs or facilities specializing in procedures that facilitate blood flow to the heart.
4. Patients suffering from the highest level of ambulance diversion had a 4.3 percent less change of receiving cauterization and suffered a 9.6 percent greater one-year mortality.
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