HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and document review, the hospital did not have a policy and procedure for the evaluation and treatment of a visitor that presented to the hospital premises in need of medical attention in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor ACT (EMTALA).

Failure to ensure visitors in need of medical attention receive a comprehensive medical screening examination by a qualified medical professsional risks poor health outcomes, injury, and death.

Findings included:

The hospital failed to have policy and procedure that addressed what to do should a visitor be in need of medical attention.

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Based on interview and document review, the hospital did not have a policy and procedure that addressed what to do should a hospital visitor be in need of medical attention (Visitor #1).

Failure to provide a medical screening exam for a visitor in crisis puts the individual at risk for harm from a medical or psychological emergency.

Findings included:

1. Document review of the hospital's policy titled "Treatment of Emergency Patients", effective since 06/10/98 and last approved 09/04/19 showed that all patients that came to the emergency department (ED) were to receive a medical screening exam to determine if the patient had a emergency medical condition under EMTALA (emergency medical treatment and labor act). The policy did not reference any information related to medical emergencies on other hospital campus locations and what should be done if a visitor was in need of medical attention..

2. Review of the hospital security logs revealed that on 08/13/18:

a) Visitor #1 had gone into the female visitor's restroom. A staff member had thought the visitor was male and called the visitor "sir". Visitor #1 became angry and began to yell and scream and run down the hallway.

b) Visitor #2 that was with Visitor #1 explained to security that Visitor #1 had a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

c) The local police department was called and asked the visitors to leave the hospital grounds.

3. On 10/29/19 at 10:00 AM, the investigator interviewed the ED Director (Staff #1). Staff #1 stated that ED staff, if alerted to a visitor emergency in the lobby or other area of the hospital, would respond and a medical screening exam would be offered.

4. On 10/29/19 at 11:30 AM, the investigator interviewed the Director of Security (Staff #3). Staff #3 stated that security staff were aware that all patients that presented to the ED were to get a medical screening exam. Staff #3 stated that security staff were not trained in what to do when a visitor presented in another area of the hospital outside of the ED in a crisis.

5. On 10/29/19 at 12:00 PM, the investigator interviewed the Chief Nursing Officer (Staff #8). Staff #8 verified the above information.

6. On 10/30/19 at 8:28 AM, the investigator interviewed a contact (Contact #1) for Visitor #1. Contact #1 stated that they tried to explain to the security guard that Visitor #1 needed to be seen by a physician for their PTSD. The local police were called and Contact #1 and Visitor #1 were asked to leave the hospital grounds.