HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview, and document review, the hospital failed to post sufficient signage in the emergency department (ED) specifying the rights of individuals under Section 1867 of the Social Security Act with respect to emergency medical treatment and women in labor for individuals that presented to the ED for an examination and treatment.

Findings include:

On 9/19/2016, at 10:50 a.m. the ED was toured with the emergency room (ER) manager. The ED garage could be accessed by private vehicles with individuals seeking emergency care. There was no emergency medical treatment and labor act (EMTALA) signage in the ED garage, the hallway leading to a treatment room and/or registration/triage room, and in any of the five treatment rooms. Individuals entering the ED through the ambulance garage would not be notified of their rights under EMTALA.

Interview with the ER manager on 9/20/2016, at 10:00 a.m. confirmed the only EMTALA signage was in the entrance to the ER for ambulatory patients and in the waiting room. There was no EMTALA signage in the ambulance garage, hallways, in the registration/triage room, and the treatment rooms. Patients usually were taken to the registration/triage room and/or treatment room and not required to wait in the waiting room.

Review of the hospital's EMTALA policy and procedure with a revision date of 2/2015, stated, "Posting signs: The Hospital shall post conspicuously, in the dedicated emergency departments and all areas in which patients routinely present for treatment of emergency medical conditions and wait prior to examination and treatment, signs...that specify rights of an individual under the law with respect to examination and treatment of emergency medical conditions and of women who are pregnant and are having contractions."