A citywide water main break has prompted Hoboken (N.J.) University Medical Center to conduct an evacuation, though the emergency room will remain open for life-threatening issues, the hospital said Feb. 28. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelines for improving patient safety for children who are directly admitted into a hospital without first receiving care through an emergency department.

Astria Toppenish (Wash.) Hospital is one of many rural hospitals closing labor and delivery care due to costs, creating maternity deserts in areas that need care most, The New York Times reported Feb. 26.

Northwest Hospital in Tucson, Ariz., faced a "hazmat situation" Feb. 26.

Emergency department discharge is a critical point in the hospital healthcare process; communication is key in terms of making certain patients fully understand next steps to ensure optimal outcomes, Nancy Kwon, MD, vice chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health, based in New Hyde Park, N.Y., told Becker's.

Kealakekua, Hawaii-based Kona Community Hospital is asking Hawaii legislature for $19 million to fix utility issues that are putting the hospital at risk of shutting down, Hawaii News Now reported Feb. 23.

Hospitals in numerous states have seen a rise in emergency department visits as norovirus rates climb. 

Complex discharge delays at New York hospitals are resulting in unnecessary long-term boarding in inpatient units and emergency departments, and costing hospitals millions, according to a new report from the Healthcare Association of New York State.

The American Academy of Pediatrics created five recommendations to reduce emergency department crowding and improve patient safety.

Groesbeck, Texas-based Limestone Medical Center was placed on lockdown Feb. 16 amid a standoff involving an armed man in the hospital's parking lot, CBS affiliate KWTX reported. The standoff ended Feb. 17 when the man was taken into custody peacefully.

The inpatient unit at Brockton (Mass.) Hospital will likely remain closed for three months after a fire that broke out Feb. 7 caused significant damage. 

A fire that closed Brockton (Mass.) Hospital last week has strained a nearby hospital and doubled their emergency room volume, NBC affiliate 10Boston reported Feb 14.

During a one-week period in December, patients eligible for transfer across 95 Minnesota hospitals received nearly 15,000 more days of care than necessary. The reason? Little to no space at nursing homes and other care facilities, the Star Tribune reported Feb. 13. 

Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health researchers found telemedicine consultations among physicians reduced interfacility transfers from rural and community hospitals.

Signature Healthcare Brockton (Mass.) Hospital remained closed Feb. 10 with no emergency services, elective procedures or other patient care visits after an electrical transformer fire forced the facility to evacuate patients days prior.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Trinity Health St. Mary's Hospital locked down its emergency department around 10 p.m. Feb. 9 due to a bomb threat, Fox affiliate WXMI reported.

Physicians are urging Hawaii legislators to eliminate the 4 percent medical tax as a way to reduce the burden of healthcare and the physician shortage, NBC affiliate KPVI reported Feb. 7.

Ascension Providence Hospital-Southfield (Mich.) is ending midwifery services at the end of February, ABC affiliate WXYZ reported Feb. 6.

Fifteen percent of Americans live in rural areas with limited access to healthcare. In part due to the limited access to care, the same group is more likely to suffer from strokes, heart disease, accidental deaths and chronic lower respiratory disease, according to the CDC.

Signature Healthcare Brockton (Mass.) Hospital evacuated 160 patients after a transformer fire broke out in the basement Feb. 7, The Boston Globe reported.