HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to implement their policies and procedures for evaluation and treatment of a patient that presented for emergency care in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Failure to ensure patients receive a comprehensive medical screening examination by a qualified medical professional and stabilizing treatment prior to transfer or discharge risks poor health outcomes, injury and death.

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Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to implement its policy under Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to provide a medical screening exam to a patient that presented to the emergency department (ED) for 1 of 20 patient medical records reviewed (Patient #2).

Failure to implement their policy puts patients at risk for poor outcomes when a medical screening exam is not completed that may reveal a medical emergency that requires care and treatment.

Findings included:

1. Document review of the hospital policy titled, "Application of and Compliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)," revised 07/08/24, showed that all patients that presented to the ED were to be given a medical screening exam to rule out a medical emergency.

2. Review of Patient #2's medical record showed:

a) Patient #2 arrived to the ED on 01/29/25 at 01:39 PM, complaining of left flank pain.

b) At 1:57 PM, the patient received a triage assessment.

c) At 4:20 PM, the patient was being escorted back to an ED exam room. While being escorted back the patient began swinging their water bottle at staff. The patient was not listening to staff direction. The nurse on duty called security to escort the patient out of the ED.

3. On 02/20/25 at 10:15 AM, the investigator interviewed ED Charge Nurse (Staff #1). Staff #1 stated that all patients were to receive a MSE performed by the ED physician to rule out a life -hreatening emergency before being discharged from the ED.

4. On 02/20/25 at 12:45 PM, the investigator interviewed Staff #7 (ED Nurse Manager). Staff #7 confirmed the investigator's finding that Patient #2 was not provided a MSE before they were escorted out of the ED by security.