HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation during a tour of the emergency department (ED) on November 27, 2012, the hospital failed to post within the emergency department and in areas likely to be seen by all individuals waiting for examination, signs specifying the rights of individuals under section 1867 of the Act with respect to examination and treatment in the emergency department. Findings include:

A tour of the ED was conducted with administrative nurse (C) and ED nurse manager (D) at 1:00 p.m. on November 27, 2012. It was observed that there were no signs posted in the waiting room, registration/triage area or ambulance entrance that referred to EMTALA rights.

This was verified with employees (C) and (D) during the tour.

Based on review of May 2012 through October 2012 ED logs, the hospital failed to maintain complete and accurate central logs in the emergency department (ED) that accurately tracked the care and disposition of patients presenting to the (ED) seeking medical care in six months of logs reviewed. Findings include:

Review of 378 random entries on the May 2012 through October 2012 ED logs revealed numerous instances of incomplete and missing information that included the following: sex of patient not identified (2 entries); description of treatment provided not identified (160 entries); no identification of who accompanied patients to ED (32 entries); no identification of staff who completed entries on logs (10 entries); no admission time identified (6 entries); nature of injury/illness not identified (5 entries) and no discharge time identified (5 entries).

When interviewed on 11/28/12, at approximately 9:00 a.m., administrative nurse (C) confirmed that the May 2012 through October 2012 ED logs were incomplete and were missing information that should have been recorded on the logs. Administrative nurse (C) stated the ED is frequently very busy, and the nurses are in a hurry and forget to totally complete the ED logs.