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Through medical record review, policy review, and interviews, it was determined that this standard was not met, as Patient A's transfer request was not fulfilled until 04/10/2025 after the initial request was made on 03/30/2025. Patient A was not allowed to exercise her right to transfer.

Findings:

Staff #10 documented the following on 3/30/2025 at 5:36 pm. "I was called to the bedside to speak to [Patient A]'s family. They have requested a transfer to [Facility B] where her cardiologist practice [sic]. I discussed the patient's overall status with the family, explain [sic] that she is currently has [sic] CHF exacerbation and required continuous medical care. Our facility is equipped to provided [sic] the necessary care at this time. The family is encourage [sic] to contact their desired hospital and physician will ing [sic] to accepts [sic] the transfer, at which point we will initiate the transfer process. The attending physician is updated on this matter."

Per staff #8 during an interview on 05/29/2025 at 2:05 pm, Patient A wanted to leave against medical advice if she could not be transferred. Staff #8 stated that her typical response to a patient who wants to leave against medical advice is "I would tell them it's your right to do, but doctors won't be able to give you paperwork or medications, and you probably will have to pay for the hospital bill."

Per staff #6 during an interview on 05/29/2025 at 2:015 pm, there was no communication with the transfer center about Patient A before 04/10/2025.

Patient A remained at Facility A until 04/10/2025. On 04/10/2025 at 3:14 pm Staff #8 documented "Patient's daughter requested for patient to be transfer [sic] to another facility, [Facility B], ... Staff #11 explained to her that he will try a lateral transfer due to patient is not in critical need to be transferred to another hospital for higher level of care."

Policy THN-H-PC2000 Medical Screening Examinations and Patient Transfer Policy, dated 12/28/2020, stated the following:

1.2.1 a. Hospital recognizes the right of a patient to request a transfer into the care of a physician and a hospital of his/her choosing.