HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview, and document review, the hospital failed to provide a medical screening examination (MSE) for 1 of 34 patients (P2) reviewed. P2 presented to the emergency department (ED), but was removed by security before being screened for an emergency medical condition.

Findings include:

P2's medical record indicated P2 presented to the ED for a MSE on 8/17/21, at 6:27 p.m. related to ingestion of a foreign body. P2 had a history of foreign body ingestion. P2 left without getting an MSE and without being seen by a physician.

On 8/25/21, at 1:00 p.m. video was observed from 8/17/21. The video revealed P2 entered the ED doors at 6:24 p.m. P2 was with a staff member from her group home. P2 was engaging with other patients in the ED waiting area at 7:40 pm. P2's group home staff gestured for P2 to walk away, but P2 did not. P2's body language was aggressive with large gestures. P2's group home staff gestured to hospital security staff for help. Hospital security staff gestured by pointing out the door for P2 to leave the waiting area.

During an interview with group home staff (GH)-E on 8/24/21, at 9:30 a.m. GH-E stated P2 went to the hospital for treatment of foreign body ingestion. GH-E stated although P2 went to the ED, she was escorted out of the building by hospital security staff and was never seen by a physician. The security staff did not give her an option to stay. P2 had to go to another hospital for treatment.

During an interview on 8/25/21, at 1:40 p.m. security staff (SS)-D stated P2 was verbally abusive with another patient in the waiting room, and threatened to hit the other patient. P2's group home staff member waved to SS-D for help, and he approached P2 and her staff member. SS-D stated he told P2 it was time for her to leave. SS-D stated P2 did not have a wrist band on, so he did not know she was a patient. SS-D stated he was aware of EMTALA requirements, but did not know P2 was a patient.

A policy related to security response protocols for unruly patients in the ED waiting room was requested but none were provided.

The facility policy EMTALA dated 7/25/19, directed under Hennepin Health Services (HHS) shall provide emergency medical services in accordance with the requirements of the... EMTALA Act and applicable regulations. HHS shall not engage in any actions that discourage individuals from seeking emergency medical services.

Based on observation, interview and record review the hospital failed to provide stabilizing treatment for 1 of 34 patients reviewed, Patient #2 (P2), when she came to the emergency department (ED) seeking stabilizing treatment for a foreign body ingestion, but security removed her from the building before P2 was provided stabilizing treatment. Findings include:

P2's medical record indicated P2 presented to the ED for a MSE on 8/17/21, at 6:27 p.m. related to ingestion of a foreign body. P2 had a history of foreign body ingestion. P2 left without getting an MSE and without being seen by a physician.

On 8/25/21, at 1:00 p.m. video was observed from 8/17/21. The video revealed P2 entered the ED doors at 6:24 p.m. P2 was with a staff member from her group home. P2 was engaging with other patients in the ED waiting area at 7:40 pm. P2's group home staff gestured for P2 to walk away, but P2 did not. P2's body language was aggressive with large gestures. P2's group home staff gestured to hospital security staff for help. Hospital security staff gestured by pointing out the door for P2 to leave the waiting area.

During an interview with group home staff (GH)-E on 8/24/21, at 9:30 a.m. GH-E stated P2 went to the hospital for treatment of foreign body ingestion. GH-E stated although P2 went to the ED, she was escorted out of the building by hospital security staff and was never seen by a physician. The security staff did not give her an option to stay. P2 had to go to another hospital for treatment.

During an interview on 8/25/21, at 1:40 p.m. security staff (SS)-D stated P2 was verbally abusive with another patient in the waiting room, and threatened to hit the other patient. P2's group home staff member waved to SS-D for help, and he approached P2 and her staff member. SS-D stated he told P2 it was time for her to leave. SS-D stated P2 did not have a wrist band on, so he did not know she was a patient. SS-D stated he was aware of EMTALA requirements, but did not know P2 was a patient.

A policy related to security response protocols for unruly patients in the ED waiting room was requested but none were provided.

The facility policy EMTALA dated 7/25/19, directed Hennepin Health System (HHS) shall provide emergency medical services in accordance with the requirements of the... EMTALA Act and applicable regulations. HHS shall not engage in any actions that discourage individuals from seeking emergency medical services.