What is an absolute reason for a hospital to divert patients?

Diverting patients is a significant decision made by hospitals under certain stressful conditions. An internal disaster is a scenario that can directly impact a hospital's ability to provide care to incoming patients. This could include situations like a fire, flooding, or a hazardous material incident within the facility that could compromise patient safety. In such cases, the hospital's systems may be overwhelmed, and resources may be hindered, making it impossible to safely accommodate additional patients without risking the quality of care.

While staff shortages, high patient volume, and adverse weather conditions can also influence a hospital's operations, they do not represent absolute reasons for diversion in the same way an internal disaster does. Staff shortages can be managed with shift adjustments, additional staffing, or reallocating resources. High patient volume may lead to difficulties but can often be addressed through surge capacity plans. Weather conditions, while they can pose challenges in patient transportation or access to the facility, do not inherently threaten the hospital's core operations in the same immediate and impactful way as an internal disaster situation. Thus, an internal disaster stands as a definitive reason for a hospital to divert patients.