HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview the hospital failed to post conspicuously in the waiting room area for those individuals waiting for examination and treatment, a sign specifying the rights of individuals under Section 1867 of the Social Security Act with respect to examination and treatment for emergency medical treatment and labor act (EMTALA) in the emergency department (ED). Findings include:

A tour of the ED was conducted on 6/29/16 at 11:25 a.m. The hospital had EMTALA signs in English and Spanish inside the entrance of the ED but had no EMTALA signs in the waiting area of the ED. An interview with Employee D/ED director was conducted on on 6/29/16 at 11:27 a.m. Employee D verified there were no EMTALA signs in the ED waiting area.
Review of the hospital policy and procedure, titled EMTALA: EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT, dated May 2016, noted: V. EMTALA signage must be posted clearly in any place likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the emergency department, emergency department waiting areas, labor and delivery areas, and hospital admitting locations. 1. Signage must be readable from anywhere in the area...3. Winona Health will post EMTALA signs in both the English and Spanish language.