HospitalInspections.org

Based on review of the medical record, policies and procedures and staff interviews, it was determined that patient #1's mother was not informed of the risk of leaving the hospital against medical advice and transporting the patient to receiving hospital for specialized care.

Patient #1 was a 5 year old male who presented to Carroll Hospital Center with complaint of abdominal pain. The patient was evaluated with recommendation for transfer to another area hospital for possible surgical intervention. The patient was an ESI 4 and stable. The hospital called for ambulance for transport but there would be a delay. The patient's mother decided not to wait for the ambulance and transported her son by car to the receiving hospital. The mother had signed the transfer form but had not been informed of the risk of leaving the hospital and transferring the patient via private car to the receiving hospital. No documentation could be found in the medical record in the form of a progress note or against medical advice (AMA) form. The hospital failed to meet its legal obligation to inform the patient's mother of the risk to leaving the hospital and transporting her son via her private vehicle to the receiving hospital for medical intervention.