HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, the hospital failed to ensure signs were posted conspicuously in places likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the emergency department (ED) specifying the rights of individuals under section 1867 of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) with respect to examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor, and to post conspicuously information indicating whether or not the hospital participated in the Medicaid program under a State plan approved under Title XIX. The hospital did not have signs posted in the area where patients presented to the ED by ambulance.
Findings:

Observation of the ED on 03/17/15 at 11:05 a.m. revealed signs related to examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions and women in labor and that the hospital participated in the Medicaid program were posted in the lobby where ambulatory or wheelchair-bound patients entered the ED. Further observation revealed there were no signs posted in any area within the ED where patients were treated and could be seen by patients brought to the ED by ambulance.

In an interview on 03/17/15 at 11:30 a.m., S2CNO (Chief Nursing Officer) confirmed no signs related to EMTALA were posted within the patient care areas of the ED that could be seen by patients arriving in the ED by ambulance. She confirmed EMTALA signs were only located in the ED lobby where ambulatory or wheelchair-bound patients arrived to be registered.