HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to post conspicuously the required signaled (per section 1867 of the Social Security Act) specifying the rights of individuals with respect to examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions (EMC) and women in labor and whether or not the hospital participated in the Medicaid program under a State plan (under Title XIX) in a manner that was noticeable and visible to individuals arriving to the ER via for examination and treatment via the ambulance entrance.


Findings include:


ED Entrance (Ambulance entrance):

Observation on 04/18/2022 at 1400 of the ambulance entrance showed no EMTALA required signage.

Interview at the time of observation with ED charge nurse (ID# 64), and Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ID# 52), they both confirmed there was no EMTALA signage.

Record review of facility policy titled "EMTALA-Definitions and General Requirements" dated 4/2022, showed the following information:
DEFINITIONS

Signage refers to the hospital requirements to post signs conspicuously in a DED or in a place or places likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the DED as well as those individuals waiting for examination and treatment in areas other than and treatment in areas other than the DED located on the hospital's property, (e.g., outpatient departments, labor and delivery, waiting room, admitting area, entrance and treatment areas), informing individuals of their rights under Federal law with respect to examination and treatment for medical conditions, emergent medical conditions (EMCs) and women in labor. The sign must also state whether or not the hospital participates in the State's Medicaid program in a State plan approves under Title XIX.

A. General Requirements
9. Post conspicuously in the emergency department, emergency department
waiting area and other places where individuals wait for examination and
treatment a sign specifying their rights to examination and treatment for an
EMC and whether the hospital participates in the State Medicaid program.