HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations and interviews, the hospital failed to ensure Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) signs were visible for those patients waiting in the waiting room of the Emergency Department (ED). Findings include:

A tour of the ED was conducted on 5/24/16 at 1:30 p.m. with Nurse C/Clinical Coordinator. EMTALA signs were observed in English and Spanish inside the entrance to the ED. There were no EMTALA signs visible in the ED waiting room. Nurse C was interviewed on 5/24/16 at 1:40 p.m. and he verified there were no EMTALA signs visible in the waiting room. The EMTALA signs were only in the entrance to the ED. There were several individuals sitting in the waiting area of the ED at the time of the tour.


Review of the hospital policy and procedure, EMTALA POLICY, reviewed last 7/13, noted "L. APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE 2. Guidelines c. It must be posted in an easily seen area which could include an admitting area, an entryway, a waiting are or treatment room.