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NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
COMPLIANCE WITH 489.24
Tag No.: C2400
Based on interview, record review, and facility policy review, the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) failed to ensure the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requirements were met by failing to conspicuously post signage specifying the rights of individuals under EMTALA. This deficient practice has the potential to affect all patients who present to the emergency department seeking medical care.
Findings Include:
The CAH failed to conspicuously post signage specifying the rights of individuals under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in a place or places likely to be noticed by all individuals. (Refer to C2402)
POSTING OF SIGNS
Tag No.: C2402
Based on observation, interview, and facility policy review, the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) failed to conspicuously post signage specifying the rights of individuals under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in a place or places likely to be noticed by all individuals seeking medical. This deficient practice has the potential to affect all patient who present to the CAH seeking medical care.
Findings Include:
Review of a CAH policy titled, "EMTALA Screening, Stabilization, Management of Transfer," revised in 02/2023, indicated, " ...2. The hospital posts signs in the Emergency Department (ED) specifying the rights of individuals with emergency medical conditions and women in labor who come to the ED for health care services and indicate on the signs whether the hospital participates in the Medicaid program ..."
Observation on 10/29/24 at 2:51 PM, a tour of the ED was conducted. At 2:53 PM, the waiting room was observed to have no EMTALA signage. At 2:54 PM, the ambulance entrance was observed to have no EMTALA signage.
During an interview on 10/29/24 at 2:54 PM, the Director of Nursing (DON) stated there was no EMTALA signage in the ambulance entrance of the ED.
During an interview on 10/30/24 at 4:52 PM, the DON stated that the only EMTALA signage was at the front entrance of the ED and the hospital main entrance, noting there was no signage in the waiting room.