HospitalInspections.org

Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that all patients were entered on a central log for 1 of 29 patients (patient #29).

Findings Included:

1. Policy #5614713, Screening and Transfer of Emergency or Unstable Patients, last updated on 4/30/2016, indicated:
A. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all patients who present to the ED will receive equitable care.
B. There are no exceptions to this policy.
C. The ED will keep a log of each patient presenting for medical care.

2. Review of: Incident - After Action Review, by the facility (no author named) on 02/05/2019 indicated patient #29, was brought to the Emergency Department (ED) by a driver who presented to parking valet and indicated patient was unresponsive and possible overdosed in the passenger seat of the car. Valet attendant directed driver to go inside the ED entrance and get help. The driver approached the security officer inside the door and and was told by the officer that this was a children's hospital and that they were not equipped to treat adults and that the individual could be seen at a general hospital across the street. The officer told driver that the patient could be treated at this facility, but would be transferred to another facility (farther away). The officer then explained that the facility across the street was better equipped to treat the patient more immediately. The driver walked back to the car and departed the area. Upon calling facility #2's ED, facility #1 was told no one by that name had checked into facility #2's ED, on the evening of 02/05/2019 or morning of 02/06/2019.

3. Review of facility Emergency Department Log for 02/04/2019, lacked documentation of patient #29's arrival at the ED, by entering the patient's name or other means of identification on the ED log.

4. In interview, on 02/18/2019, at approximately 1115 hours, staff member #1 indicated agreement with the above findings and that patient #29 was not entered on the ED log.