One inspection of Los Angeles area hospitals by Congressional staff found the EDs operating at an average of 116 % of capacity ( meaning there were more patients than available treatment spaces ) with insufficient beds to accommodate victims of a terrorist attack the size of the 2004 Madrid train bombings . Three of the five Level I trauma centres were on " diversion " , meaning ambulances with all but the most severely injured patients were being directed elsewhere because the ED could not safely accommodate any more patients . This controversial practice was banned in Massachusetts ( except for major incidents , such as a fire in the ED ) , effective 1 January 2009 ; in response , hospitals have devoted more staff to the ED at peak times and moved some elective procedures to non-peak times
2004 Madrid train bombings
2004 Madrid train bombings
Emergency department