HospitalInspections.org

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Based on medical record (MR) review, document review and interview, the facility failed to confirm the receiving facility had agreed to accept a transfer in one (1) of eight (8) MRs.

Findings included:

Review of Patient #5's MR identified the following information: This 29-year-old presented to the ED on 08/18/18 at 5:56AM with a complaint of vaginal bleeding at twenty-two (22) weeks of pregnancy. Patient #5 was examined by a physician who documented the medical necessity to transfer the patient.

The facility's Authorization for Transfer Form, dated 08/18/18, did not contain documented evidence that a physician at the receiving facility had been contacted and had accepted Patient #5 for admission.

Per interview of Staff E (Medical Director) on 02/06/19 at 11:05AM, Staff E stated, "Our policy is for our physician to contact the receiving hospital and get a physician to accept the patient. This is done doctor to doctor. It should be documented in the medical record."

The facility policy and procedure (P&P) titled, "Transfer of the Emergency Department Patient to Another Facility," dated 02/17/17 stated, "...the receiving hospital must give acceptance in advance and acceptance must be made physician to physician. The acceptance must be documented in the medical record along with the receiving hospital physician name..."

The facility failed to confirm that the receiving hospital had agreed to accept the transfer.