HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of facility documents, medical records (MR), and employee interview (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening for one of 20 medical records reviewed (MR1).

Findings include:

On October 26, 2023, a review of Policy 506- UPMC- Mercy DEM Policies and Procedures, dated 07/22, revealed, "Title: Emergency Care Requirements (EMTALA) A. EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT: An appropriate Medical Screening Examination within the capability of the Emergency Department will be provided by a Qualified Medical Provider to any person who comes to the hospital and requests examination or treatment for a medical condition regardless of their ability to pay... ."


A review of MR1 revealed that on October 3, 2023, the patient was registered in the emergency department at 23:44 seeking treatment. MR1 was called by the triage nurse/charge nurse on October 4, 2023, at 00:02, and was not in the waiting room. OTH2 informed the triage nurse that MR1 had been escorted from the emergency department by OTH1 and EMP10.


A review of facility documents revealed that on October 4, 2023, the triage nurse/charge nurse reported the event to EMP3, and an investigation was initiated by the facility.


A review of facility documents revealed 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 emergency department staff, registration staff, security staff and police department staff occurred from October 6, 2023, through October 13, 2023. (2) Facility annual training was on-going, due for completion on October 31, 2023, and includes EMTALA training. (3) Verification of understanding by the emergency staff, registration staff, security staff and police department will be accomplished via leadership rounding and verbal validation by staff of understanding of both the written communications and didactic annual training to assure prevention of recurrence using scenario-based interview. These actions targeted the root cause of the event. At the time of survey, the facility was found to be in compliance.

The above findings were confirmed on October 26, 2023, at 9:38am, by EMP3. Findings were also confirmed on October 27, 2023, at 10:30am by EMP7.