Indiana to discontinue routine hospital diversion
byNick Oudhoff, WSBT 22 Reporter
Tue, September 1, 2026 at 5:08 PM
UpdatedTue, September 1, 2026 at 6:16 PM
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All emergency healthcare partners and Indiana state health officials are ending the practice referred to as “hospital diversion.” (WSBT Photo)
INDIANA (WSBT) —All emergency healthcare partners and Indiana state health officials are ending the practice referred to as “hospital diversion.”
That’s when an ambulance is routed from one hospital to another
The practice was used to prevent overcrowding in emergency rooms
According to officials, the goal is that everyone receives the best care at every hospital
During a medical emergency, every minute counts
Now, Indiana is moving away from hospital diversions, impacting how emergency patients are transported to the hospital
All emergency healthcare partners and Indiana state health officials are ending the practice referred to as “hospital diversion.” (WSBT video)
Starting on Tuesday, hospitals in the state of Indiana will no longer be able to divert ambulances to other hospitals to prevent overcrowding
This practice was used during times when facilities experienced high patient volumes
State health officials believe this could “lead to unintended consequences on patient care.”
South Bend Fire is providing a statement on eliminating EMS diversions
The South Bend Fire Department appreciates the collaborative effort made by the Indiana Department of Health, Indiana EMS Commission, Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, Indiana Emergency Nurses Association, Indiana EMS Association, and other emergency care groups. We’ll continue to work with our sponsoring hospitals through our guidelines to ensure our patients arrive safely at the appropriate level of care.”
According to the State Department of Health, hospital diversions were found to create EMS shortages, increased transport times, delays and reductions in continuity of care for patients in need
Beacon Health is also providing its support for eliminating EMS diversions
Beacon Health System supports this initiative and the Indiana Department of Health’s goal to reduce EMS transport delays, improve continuity of care and strengthen patient outcomes across the state.”
All emergency healthcare partners and Indiana state health officials are ending the practice referred to as “hospital diversion.” (WSBT Photo)
Moving forward, hospital diversions will only be allowed in cases of disaster and critical infrastructure failure
Indiana State Department of Healthprovided WSBT 22 a statement about discontinuing routine hospital diversion, saying:
This was a collaborative decision made by those who work in emergency care, including emergency medicine providers and nurses, hospitals, EMS professionals, fire service and other emergency care stakeholders. We recognize that EMS diversion due to overcrowding increases the strain on limited EMS resources and negatively impacts patient care, When someone calls 911, they will now be taken to the right place at the right time, according to facility capability and patient preference. The elimination of diversion allows for transparent discussion of facility capability and capacity and earlier patient interventions. With diversion, crowding is shifted to another emergency department and ambulance resources sent farther away, which increases the risk for critical patients and increases response time for other 911 calls. There will be rare circumstances, such as equipment failures or other disasters, when diversion may be necessary, but that should be the exception. Indianapolis hospitals have already successfully ended the practice” says Greta Sanderson, IDOH Chief Communications Officer.
Indiana State Health officials say it will ensure every Hoosier receives the best care possible where they are, and when they need it
