HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations; staff interviews; clinical record and document reviews; and review of the hospital's policies and procedures Hospital A's noncompliance with the requirements under EMTALA occurred when signage, visible to the public, was not posted in the Emergency Department (ED) [A2402].

Based on observations and staff interviews, the hospital failed to prominently post signage in its Emergency Department (ED) informing the public of their rights to seek and receive emergency services with respect to-

1. Examination and treatment of emergency medical conditions including women in labor, and
2. The hospital's participation in Medicare or Medicaid Program.

This failure has the potential for the public to be unaware they could receive care and treatment in an emergency without the fear of the inability to pay for the services they receive.

Findngs:

During the tour of the Emergency Department (ED) with concurrent interview on 8/7/16 at 2:35 p.m., that included a registration area, waiting room, 12 bays (location for gurneys where patients are seen by ED staff) and the ambulance entrance there was no visible signage specified by the Social Security Act § 1867. During the ED tour, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) stated the signage had been taken down for painting the department and had not been rehung.