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MEDICAL CITY DECATUR
MEDICAL SCREENING EXAM
Tag No.: A2406
Based on record review and interview the hospital failed to provide an appropriate mental health screening examination within the capability of the hospital's emergency department in that 1 of 1 (Patient #1) did not receive a mental health exam prior to being discharged from the hospital on 07/03/22.
Findings included:
On 07/03/22 Patient #1 presented to Hospital A (Wise Regional Health System) via ambulance for a suicide attempt. Patient #1 was placed on an Emergency Detention Order (EDO) prior to being transferred to the hospital by the police; however no police accompanied the patient to the hospital. Hospital A provided a medical screening exam and ascertained Patient #1 was above the legal limit with a blood alcohol level of 136 and could not undergo a mental health exam. Hospital A called police to come to the hospital to sit with the patient since the patient was under an EDO. When the police arrived at the hospital and ascertained the patient was medically cleared, the police stated since the patient was in their custody they were taking them to Hospital B (JPS Health Network) for a mental health exam. Personnel #8 then wrote the order to discharge the patient without the mental health exam being completed.
During an interview with Personnel #8 on 02/28/23 at 1250 Personnel #8 stated when the police came to the facility for this patient, they decided they would take the patient themselves for a mental health evaluation.
The policy titled Patient Transfer reviewed 12/03/2020 reflected..."3...The hospital will provide provide appropriate medical screening examinations within the capability of the hospital's emergency department, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department...
APPROPRIATE TRANSFER
Tag No.: A2409
Based on record review and interview the hospital failed to contact the receiving facility to accept the transfer of an individual and ascertain if the facility had available space in that 1 of 1 (Patient #1) patients were sent to Hospital B without first contacting the hospital to request a transfer.
Findings included:
On 07/03/22 Patient #1 presented to Hospital A (Wise Regional Health System) via ambulance for a suicide attempt. Patient #1 was placed on an Emergency Detention Order (EDO) prior to being transferred to the hospital by the police; however no police accompanied the patient to the hospital. Patient #1 was above the legal limit with a blood alcohol level of 136 and could not undergo a mental health exam. Hospital A called police to come to the hospital to sit with the patient since the patient was under an EDO. When the police arrived at the hospital and ascertained the patient was medically cleared, the police stated since the patient was in their custody they were taking them to Hospital B (JPS Health Network) for a mental health exam. The hospital failed to contact Hospital B and request a transfer for Patient #1.
During an interview on 02/28/23 at 1228 Personnel #2 stated the hospital had not contacted the receiving hospital to initiate a transfer.
The policy titled Patient Transfer last reviewed 12/03/20 reflected..."Physician Duties in Transfer Process...7. Prior to transfer, the transferring physician shall secure a receiving physician and a receiving hospital..."