HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to post Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) signs in areas likely to be noticed by all individuals that visit the emergency department resulting in the potential for all emergency patients to not be informed of their right to have a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment in the emergency department. Findings include:

On entrance to the facility on 4/16/2024 at 0900, a small vestibule was entered that had signage present for emergency patients to enter to the left and hospital patients and visitors to enter to the right. No EMTALA signs were visualized in the emergency department (ED) lobby.

On 4/16/2024 at 0913, while in the ED lobby, Staff A was queried as to if there were EMTALA signs present. She began looking around the ED lobby and stated, "I know we have them around here somewhere. We have been changing signage recently." Upon walking near the door leading to the vestibule, EMTALA signs were noted to be to the right of the vestibule entrance, between the outside door and the entrance to the main hospital, and on the same wall as the outside door. The signs would not be visualized by patients going to the ED lobby. This was confirmed by Staff A at the time of discovery.

On 4/16/2024 at 0917, the ambulance bay was entered an found to have no EMTALA signage present. This finding was confirmed by Staff A at the time of discovery.