Salem Hospital begins ambulance diversion plan in effort to keep beds available

For the first time in over a decade, Salem Hospital will turn away some ambulances when its beds are full, sending patients with non-life threatening problems to other hospitals for care.

The hospital announced changes to its divert policy this week, saying diverting ambulances will help manage hospital capacity. The hospital has consistently been close to or over full capacity for the past year.

“While every effort will be made to limit divert, Salem Health…