HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and staff interview, the emergency department failed to post signage as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA). This had the potential to affect all patients with emergency medical conditions and women in labor who present to the emergency department for healthcare services. The emergency department census at the time of the survey was 93.

Findings include:

The emergency department was toured on 12/08/14 at 2:38 PM and 12/09/14 at 12:03 PM with administrative staff. The entire emergency department; including the waiting room, triage areas, registration area, and the emergency rooms lacked the signage informing individuals of their rights as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA).

Staff A confirmed on 12/09/14 at 12:03 PM that no (EMTALA) signage was posted throughout the emergency department. Staff A stated in an interview on 12/09/14 at 2:45 PM "the emergency department had been under construction and the required (EMTALA) signage had not been posted since the area opened August 2014".

Staff B stated in an interview on 12/10/14 at 11:49 PM the (EMTALA) signage was being reviewed by the facility's legal department based on the required parameters and will be posted immediately.