What is an acceptable reason for a hospital to divert an ALS unit?

Diverting an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit is a critical decision that should only be made under specific circumstances that warrant it. An internal disaster, such as a fire, flooding, or other emergencies that compromise the hospital's ability to provide care, is a legitimate and acceptable reason for diversion. In such situations, patient safety becomes the priority, and resources need to be redirected to manage the crisis effectively.

An internal disaster may hinder the hospital's ability to treat incoming patients adequately, making it essential to divert ALS units to other facilities that are better equipped to handle emergency care during such a disruption. This ensures that patients receive appropriate medical attention without overloading a compromised facility.

While overcapacity in the ER, injury to a staff member, and temporary power outages may have implications on operations, they do not represent the same level of urgency or critical failure that an internal disaster does, thus making them less valid reasons for diversion in comparison. In essence, internal disasters pose a significant threat to patient safety and operational capacity, justifying the need for diversion of ALS resources.