HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of facility documents, medical records (MR), and employee interviews (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening for one of 21 patients selected (PT21).
Findings include:
Review, at approximately 11:00 AM on August 13, 2024, of Policy HS-LE0007, "Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), dated February 23, 2023, revealed, "... IV. Definitions ... 3. Medical Screening Exam (MSE) is an exam within the capability of the hospital to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists. ... V. Procedure 1. If an individual seeking emergency medical care comes to the hospital ' s Dedicated Emergency Department a QMP [Qualified Medical Person] shall offer a Medical Screening Exam. If an individual seeking emergency medical care comes to any other portion of the hospital campus, including on-campus clinics, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots, and requests emergency medical care, a QMP will offer a Medical Screening Exam to that person. ..."

1. A review of the July 2024, Emergency Department (ED) Log revealed that PT21 presented to the facility at approximately 6:49 PM on July 11, 2024, where PT21's parent requested emergency medical care for PT21. Further review revealed that the patient departed at approximately 7:03 PM on July 11, 2024. The patient was not triaged or provided with a medical screening examination.

2. A review of facility documents revealed that an investigation was initiated by the facility.
The following actions were immediately taken by the facility as a result of the internal investigation to ensure compliance: (1) Re-education and training of all facility staff to include emergency department staff, registration staff, and security staff occurred from July 18, 2024, through July 26, 2024. (2) Verification of understanding by the emergency staff, registration staff, security staff was accomplished through leadership rounding and reinforcement was completed at daily Emergency department staff huddles and reinforced at Emergency Department staff meetings. Actions of the facility were verified through employee interviews at the time of facility tour and education transcript review. These actions targeted the root cause of the event. At the time of survey, the facility was found to be in compliance with EMTALA law.

The above findings were confirmed on August 13, 2024, by EMP2.