HospitalInspections.org

Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure its policy/procedures included a provision for the care and treatment of psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department (ED) including guidelines for telemedicine consultation as needed and patient referral for inpatient care for one occurrence.

Findings include:

1. On 10-7-19 at 0945 hours, the Performance Improvement Coordinator A1 was requested to provide a policy/procedure indicating the ED care and treatment for the psychiatric patient and none was provided prior to exit.

2. Review of the policy/procedure Suicide Risk Precautions (approved 9-19) lacked a provision indicating the use of a telemedicine consultation service as needed for obtaining a psychiatric evaluation and/or locating an inpatient facility/unit with an available bed.

3. During an interview on 10-7-19 at 1222 hours, staff A1 confirmed the facility lacked a policy/procedure indicating the ED care and treatment for the psychiatric patient and no other documentation was available.