Memorial Hospital diversion over, now accepting all patient transports

UPDATE: Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Heidi Prescott confirms the diversion is over and Memorial is now accepting all patient transports.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Memorial Hospital is at capacity so it is not accepting non-trauma adult patients at this time, according to Memorial Hospital spokeswomen Heidi Prescott.

Around 1 a.m., the hospital began diverting patient transports and would not accept adult patients from other hospitals.

The restriction does not affect child patients. They are not at capacity in the NICU or pediatric care.

They will accept trauma patients because they are the only level 2 trauma care facility in the area, Prescott said.

This is the first time in at least 20 years Memorial Hospital has diverted patients because they were at capacity, according to Prescott.