Los Angeles County has been suffering from a healthcare horror show in recent days.
With regional hospital ICUs at 0% capacity and COVID-19 cases continuing to surge, ambulances have been some terrifying instructions on how to manage emergencies in the field.
According to ABC 7 news in Los Angeles, the LA city Fire Department EMS Bureau’s medical director, Dr. Marc Eckstein, says first responders have been told to stop bringing patients to the hospital if their heart stops beating -- as in the case of a heart attack; or a trauma, such as victims of gunshot wounds or car accidents.
As hospitals run out of oxygen and cots are being set up in parking lots to make room for patients, the public is being discouraged from calling 911, unless it’s an absolute emergency.
For the last few weeks during the COVID-19 surge, the region's ICUs have had 0% capacity available. When there's no space at hospitals, ambulances have to handle the overflow.
"We're trying to encourage people to not call 911 unless they really need to," Eckstein explained to ABC 7. "Even if you're the lowest risk to get seriously ill from COVID, if you need emergency medical services through 911, or leave your emergency department right now, your care may be compromised or significantly delayed," said Dr. Eckstein.