HospitalInspections.org

Based on tour of the emergency department (ED), the facility failed to post EMTALA signage in places likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the ED.

Tour of the facility was conducted on 10/10//17 at approximately 9:30 AM. The tour revealed there was no visible EMTALA signage in the waiting room, triage, ambulance bay or treatment area. Staff in the ED were not able to point out where the signage was posted. Later in the survey, the surveyors were informed by the Director of Patient Safety and Chief Medical Officer that there was a message on their message board (which loops messages) in both the main hospital entrance and waiting area of the emergency room. The three surveyors on the survey never noticed the message board when entering the hospital or the ED. One surveyor observed the main entrance board for several minutes and did not see the message. The failure to conspicuously post EMTALA signage did not ensure patients were fully informed of their rights.