David Rosenkranz
Published: 2022
Total Pages:
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In detailed administrative records cataloging when, where, and why diversions occur, as well as who got diverted, I document that diversions commonly last exactly 1 hour, approximately 4 hours, and exactly 8 hours (indicating that managerial frictions may directly affect ED availability); that diverted patients have different characteristics than non-diverted patients (including potentially more severe symptoms); and that diverted patients spend 65% longer on the road to the hospital than non-diverted patients. I also find that diversions often occur not only because of crowdedness, but also because of hospital systems failures. I identify directions for future research.