Three hospitals in Providence, R.I., diverted patients to other facilities Wednesday after seeing an influx in emergency room patients with flu symptoms and cold weather-related injuries, according to a Providence Journal report.
Shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday, Rhode Island Hospital notified the Rhode Island State Department of Health that it would be begin diverting patients. Just over 90 minutes later, The Miriam Hospital made the same announcement. By 11 a.m., Roger Williams Medical Center also began diversion.
However, Rhode Island's safety net regulations prohibit more than two hospitals in the state's Northern Hospital Group from going on diversion at the same time. As a result, all three hospitals were forced to open.
Providence-based health system Lifespan, which includes Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, said diversion status is not unusual and the flu played a significant part in the ER surge, according to John Murphy, MD, executive vice president of physician affairs for Lifespan.
Since the flu is widespread, the state is requiring unvaccinated healthcare workers in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to wear surgical masks, according to the Rhode Island State Health Department.