HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of facility documents and employee interview (EMP), it was determined the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination (MSE) for one individual (OTH1) who presented to the facility's Emergency Department on December 18, 2023, requesting to be seen.

Findings include:

On January 24, 2024, review of facility policy "POL-5195990" entitled "Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) revealed: " ... Medical Screening Examination ... In general, when an individual comes by him or herself or with another person to the Hospital Property or Premises ... requesting examination or treatment of a medical condition, the Hospital ... must provide for an appropriate MSE with [sic] the Capacity and Capability of the Hospital's emergency department ... to determine whether or not an EMC [Emergency Medical Condition] exists ... ."


During an interview with EMP2 on Januray 24, 2024, EMP2 explained that OTH1 entered the facility's Emergency Department on December 18, 2023, at approximately 15:30, and told EMP9 that he wanted to be seen and wanted to know the wait times, as the Emergency Department looked crowded. EMP2 further explained that EMP9 replied to OTH1 that OTH1 would first be triaged then it may be a while before OTH1 is seen. OTH1 asked if he could go somewhere else and asked about AHN Hempfield. EMP9 replied that if OTH1 wants to go to AHN Hemfield, OTH1 can go there. OTH1 left Forbes without registering, and drove to AHN Hempfield.


A review of facility documents revealed the following actions were immediately taken by the facility as a result of the internal investigation to ensure compliance: (1) Re-education and training of all emergency department staff, registration staff, and security staff occurred, beginning December 21, 2023. (2) Re-education of all staff using the single point lesson specific to waiting times was completed (3) Facility annual training is on-going (4) Verification of understanding by the emergency department registration staff is being assessed by ongoing audits, which currently demonstrate 100% compliance. (5) Interviews with staff demonstrated understanding with EMTALA as it pertains to their job. These actions targeted the root cause of the event. At the time of survey, the facility was found to be in compliance.


The above findings were confirmed on January 24, 2024 between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM with EMP1, EMP2, and EMP3.