HospitalInspections.org

Based on staff interviews and review of medical records, policies/procedures and Medical Staff Bylaws, the facility failed to comply with the Medicare provider agreement as defined in 489.20 and 489.24 related to EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act) requirements.

Findings:

1. The facility failed to meet the following requirement under the EMTALA regulations:

Tag A 2402 - Posting of Signs
The facility failed to post signage visual to all individuals entering the emergency department that specifies the rights of individuals with respect to examination and treatment of emergency medical conditions, as well as whether the facility participates in the Medicaid program under a State approved plan.

Based on observations and staff interview the facility failed to post signage visual to all individuals entering the emergency department that specifies the rights of individuals with respect to examination and treatment of emergency medical conditions, as well as whether the facility participates in the Medicaid program under a State approved plan.
Findings:
1. Observations conducted at the main campus on 07/26/12 at 11:06 a.m. with the Director of the Emergency Department revealed that there was one sign in the lobby near the registration desk but no sign posted in the ambulance bay or inside ambulance bay door or anywhere else in the Emergency Department to be viewed by individuals who did not enter through the lobby.
2. An interview with the Director of the Emergency Department was conducted on 07/26/12 at 11:06 a.m. S/he confirmed that there was no signage posted inside the Emergency Department that could be viewed by individuals that were brought in by ambulances or outside of the ambulance bay.
3. Observations conducted at the satellite location with a Dedicated Emergency Department (DED) were conducted on 07/27/12 at 8:30 a.m. with the director of the satellite DED, the medical director of the satellite DED and the chief nursing officer of the hospital revealed that there was one set of signs in the lobby near the registration desk but no sign posted in the ambulance bay or inside ambulance bay door or anywhere else in the Emergency Department to be viewed by individuals who did not enter through the lobby.
4. An interview with the director of the satellite DED, the medical director of the satellite DED and the chief nursing officer of the hospital was conducted on 07/27/12 at 8:30 a.m. They confirmed that there was no signage posted inside the Emergency Department that could be viewed by individuals that were brought in by ambulances or outside of the ambulance bay.

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