HospitalInspections.org

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Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to implement their policies and procedures for the acceptance of a patient that needed to be transferred to their hospital for emrgency care in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Failure to accept patients requiring the need to be transferred for specialized care risks delays in the patient receiving health care and risks poor health outcomes, injury and death.

Findings included:

1. The hospital failed to accept a patient for transfer that required specialized care and treatment.

Cross-reference: Tag A-2411

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Based on interview and document review the hospital failed to implement its policies and procedures to accept a patient for transfer from another emergency department (ED) that required specialized care 1 of 25 patient records reviewed (Patient #1).

Failure to accept a patient for transfer of care from another ED puts patients at risk for poor health outcomes.

Findings included:

1. Document review of the hospital's policy titled, Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) Compliance Procedure," last reviewed 02/19 showed that the hospital was to accept patients from other emergency departments unless the speciality was not available or the hospital was at capacity and unable to accept new patients.

2. Review of Patient #1's transfer information on 09/27/20 showed the patient had a diabetic wound foot infection that required the consultation of a podiatrist (foot doctor). The transfer center declined the patient as the first healthcare provider on the list declined the patient for care. The transfer department did not call the next provider on the list to accept the patient for care.

The patient was eventually accepted by another hospital for treatment of their diabetic wound foot infection.

3. On 10/12/20 at 10:10 AM, Investigator #1 interviewed the Manager of the Transfer Center (Staff #9). Staff #9 stated that the transfer center had a list of physicians available for specialty care for each day of the week. If a physician declined to accept a patient, the transfer center was to call the next physician on the specialty list.

4. On 10/12/20 at 2:00 PM, Investigator #1 interviewed the Manager of Risk (Staff #11). Staff #11 verified the investigator's findings.

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