HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations, record reviews, and interviews, the facility failed to provide a medical screening examination with the capability of the hospital's Emergency Department ("ED") for a patient who came to the ED seeking care in one (1) of twentyone (21) ED patient records reviewed (Patient #21)

Finding:

Patient #21 arrived by ambulance in the Emergency Department at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center complaining of abdominal pain, he/she was diverted to another hospital by nursing staff, he/she was not entered into the Emergency Department Central Log, and he/she did not receive a medical screening exam. This would be a violation of 42 CFR Part §489.20(r)(3) Emergency Department Central Log and 42 CFR Part §489.24(a) Appropriate Medical Screening Examination. Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center identified the violations, self-reported the violations, and put in measures to avoid a reoccurrence with included a review of facility EMTALA policies, online EMTALA training for all staff, and in-person EMTALA reviews with all Emergency Department staff. At the time of the on-site survey, a surveyor determined, through observation, record review, and interviews, that Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center was in substantial compliance with 42 CFR, Part 489, Responsibilities of Medicare Participating Hospitals in Emergency Cases.