How long may a hospital divert ambulances for at a time in a diversion zone?

Hospitals may divert ambulances for a maximum period of 90 minutes in a diversion zone. This timeframe is established to ensure that while a hospital may be experiencing overwhelming demand or operational challenges, emergency medical services can still effectively manage and redirect patients to other facilities. The 90-minute limit allows for a balance between addressing immediate capacity issues and ensuring that patients receive timely medical attention. By having this standardized duration, emergency services can maintain a level of responsiveness and plan accordingly, helping to avoid prolonged delays in critical care.