HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations and staff interview the facility failed to post signs clearly noticeable and visible to "all" individuals entering the emergency department and to those awaiting emergency care / services specifying the rights to be examined and receive treatment, for a woman in labor, and an individual with an emergency medical condition.

The findings are:

During observations conducted in the Hospital Emergency Department (ED), accompanied by the ED Nursing Director, on 05/06/2013 at approximately 10:40 AM, it was observed the signs posted at the ED Registration area informing of a patient's right to emergency services and care is not visible to "all" individuals entering the ED but only to walk in patients.
The posted signage is not conspicuously placed and visible to "all" arriving to the ED. The sign is not visible or noticeable by those arriving via Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Ambulance, or those seated / waiting in areas located in ED II, Express Care, and Pediatrics.

In an interview with the ED Nursing Director on 05/06/2013 at approximately 11:25 AM, he stated " the signs are an oversight. I've already ordered the signs and they'll be put up as soon as they get here."
In an interview with the Hospital Risk Manager on 05/07/2013 at 3:31 PM, in the presence of the Clinical Manager, the Risk Manager stated, "There is no policy about signage, it's a management decision"

In the ED Waiting Room with the Survey team leader, the Nursing Director of the ED, and ------ -----, RN., Clinical Manager, on 05/07/2013 at approximately 4:15 PM, the Director of the ED demonstrated the separate entrances for patients walking into the ED and those arriving by EMS/Ambulance. The walls were re-inspected for the presence of signage and there was none in the EMS arrival area or Emergency Services areas. The ED Director stated, "I have ordered the signs."