St. E's emergency room is back to normal

YOUNGSTOWN -- St. Elizabeth Health Center's emergency department was operating normally Tuesday after a few days when admitted patients had to wait longer than usual for an inpatient bed, and when ambulances were asked to periodically divert patients to other hospitals.
Dr. Howard Dickey-White, chairman of emergency services, said Tuesday that the diversion request was canceled and both ambulance patients and walk-in patients were being seen.
"The department is active with our usual volumes, and we have been able to place most of the admitted patients into rooms, allowing us to function more normally as an emergency service," Dr. White said.
He said that emergency department overcrowding is both a local and national problem, especially at this time of year.
"We do our best every day to care for patients in the most efficient way possible. This includes a continued cooperative effort with the professionals at Northside Medical Center to be sure the community's needs are being met," Dr. White said.