The pace of hospital diversions in the Tristate has slowed a notch, but still remains ahead of last year's record pace.

        In July, Tristate hospitals went “on diversion” 68 times, which meant they asked life squads to carry as many stable patients as possible somewhere else for all or part of an eight-hour shift. That's down from 78 diversions in July 2001, according to the Greater Cincinnati Health Council.

        For the year, hospitals have declared 613 diversions, up 16 percent from 527 declared through July 2001. In 2000, hospitals went on diversion 126 times through July.

        Bottom line: hospitals are still struggling to hire and retain enough staff to meet rising demand for care, said Colleen O'Toole, vice president of the health council.

        Starting this month, the health council has switched to a new electronic notification system that can send e-mail or pager messages when hospitals go on diversion. Previously, hospital staff had to make many phone calls to get the word out.

        While the system is expected to speed up notification, it also will change how diversions are tracked.

        By tracking hours spent on diversion instead of shifts, the system will be more accurate — but it also means that the pace of diversions for the rest of this year will not be comparable to previous years, Ms. O'Toole said.

Mayor 'mothballs' convention expansion
Two may be Ohio's first with West Nile
Boy home after rare brain surgery
Candidate tries to disqualify opponent
Crayons to Computers: A program that works
Hospital diversions increase from 2001
Man who died after arrest was ex-con with drug past
Neighbors fight church addition
Obituary: Douglas Powell found purpose as firefighter
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
RADEL: 3 good Samaritans
Building plans evoke e-mail spat
Deals offered to attract hospital
Insanity plea made in killing
Log cabin in Chilo about to come down
Tax levies to bolster police, fire depts. OK'd for ballot
Trustees balk at barn buy as property taxes soar
Wife disputes fraud charge
ID scanners screen underage sales
Kroger top bidder for fair beef champion
Missing kids' photos on Strickland mail
Ohio high court delays execution of killer
Police report: Firetruck had no brakes
Sept. 11 tension vivid to controller
Supreme court lifts judge's suspension
Giant hive an un-bee-lievable find
Ky. hikes cost of a ticket
Tech college seeks new image
Wildlife painter's descendant tours Ky.