Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hospital Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Strongsville firefighters raise concerns about patient diversions at Southwest General
Summary
John Douglas, president of the Strongsville Firefighters Association, told council that Southwest General diverted patients with stroke-like symptoms to other hospitals multiple times and that the neurology department had been closed for a period, a claim the council president said he was not previously aware of and would address.
John Douglas, president of the Strongsville Firefighters Association, told the City Council on Feb. 3 that Southwest General Health System has been diverting Strongsville patients to other hospitals during times the hospital lacked neurology coverage.
"They would turn us away and divert us to other hospitals in a time when a resident of Strongsville needs emergency services," Douglas said, and added that the practice "happens multiple times a year." He told the council that diversions occurred recently over Thanksgiving and during the Christmas break when he said Southwest General had closed its neurology department for a vacation period.
Douglas identified himself as president of the firefighters association and said his oath compelled him to speak about the issue because Strongsville taxpayers support Southwest General. Council President Short responded that he was not aware of the diversions and said he would address the matter.
The council did not take any formal action during the meeting; No hospital official presented a report or made a statement at the Feb. 3 meeting. Douglas's remarks were delivered during the audience-participation portion of the agenda and were acknowledged by council for follow-up.
