HospitalInspections.org

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Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to implement its policies and procedures to verify that before transferring a patient the receiving hospital was ready to receive the patient for treatment of patients presenting for emergency care in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Failure to verify with the receiving hospital that the hospital is ready to accept the patient places patients at risk for delays in care and risks poor health care outcomes.

Findings included:

The hospital failed to verify prior to transfer that the receiving hospital was ready to accept the patient.

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Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to implement its policies and procedures to verify that the hospital receiving the patient for care was prepared to accept the patient for care in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) for 1 of 25 patient records reviewed (Patient #1).

Failure to verify with the receiving hospital that they are ready to accept the patient for care places patients at risk for delays in receiving healthcare and potential poor health outcomes.

Findings included:

1. Document review of the hospital policy titled "Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)," last review 10/19, showed that the hospital needed to verify prior to transfer that the receving hospital was prepared and ready to accept the patient for care.

2. Document review of Patient #1's medical record showed that:

a) The patient presented to the emergency department on 05/15/21 for emegency medical care. The hospital provided a medical screening exam and stabililizing treatment. The patient required further care that the hospital could not provide.

b) The hospital contacted another hospital that was able to provide the level of care the patient required. The accepting hospital stated they could accept the patient on 05/16/21 in the afternoon. The emergency department physician gave report to the accepting hospital physician. The ED nurse gave report to the accepting hospital transfer center nurse. The nurse was told to verify with the accepting hospital that the patient's room was ready prior to transport.

c) The patient was transported by ambulance on 05/16/21 before the accepting hospital was prepared to accept the patient.

3. On 06/08/21 at 7:45 AM, the investigator interviewed a licensed nurse (Staff #1). Staff #1 stated that the licensed nurse was responsible to verify prior to transport that the accepting hospital was prepared to receive the patient for care.

4. On 06/08/21 at 8:00 AM, the investigator interviewed the Director of the Emergency Department (Staff #3). Staff #3 verified the investigators findings.

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