The order, which runs through September, mandates hospitals report to the state when they're diverting patients to other facilities.

The U.S. was dealing with a shortage of nurses even before the pandemic. Now, with COVID-19 hospitalizations rising once again, there's concern that nurses on the frontlines are at even greater risk of burnout.

In Indiana some healthcare observers warn statewide capacity data doesn’t reflect the true state of hospitals that are facing a nursing shortage.

Transferring a critically ill patients is becoming increasingly difficult, according to hospital leaders, government officials and industry advocates. Patients are spending hours — or sometimes days — in rural hospital emergency rooms waiting for an ambulance.

Months long waitlists, out-of-pocket costs and a burgeoning mental health crisis is pushing care out of reach for some families.

Hospital ERs are being upended by a surge of children and adolescents in mental distress during COVID. Staff bring in snacks or queue up Netflix to keep them occupied as they seek beds in psychiatric centers. Private insurance can make the task harder.

Across the Midwest, there are not nearly enough psychiatrists, therapists or direct-care staff to treat a rising tide of young people spiraling into crisis. For these families, the strain can seem unbearable. It’s a story echoed across much of the country. This was true even before COVID-19.

Hospitals have a lot of tests to find a problem, such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. But studies show that Black and Hispanic patients are less likely to get this imaging in an emergency, and that might lead to other health issues.

The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, with members from central Indiana hospital systems, called on residents to adhere to safety measures, including masks and limiting social gatherings.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says Indiana hospitals must postpone or reschedule non-emergency surgeries for the next few weeks as COVID-19's surge worsens statewide.