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MARSHFIELD MEDICAL CENTER
POSTING OF SIGNS
Tag No.: A2402
Based on observation and interview the facility failed to post EMTALA Patient Rights signs in areas likely to be noticed by all individuals that visit the emergency department (ED) resulting in the potential for emergency patients to be uninformed regarding their rights. Findings include:
On 11/20/15 at approximately 1105 it was revealed during a tour of the ED, that patients entering the facility via ambulance would not be able to see EMTALA signs. Ambulance traffic enters through the ambulance bay, which does not pass the EMTALA signs posted in the waiting room.
On 11/20/15 at approximately 1105 during an interview with staff A it was asked by this surveyor, "How do the patients that enter by ambulance see the EMTALA signs?" Staff A stated, "They don't, we don't have a sign posted there. We can have that fixed today."