HospitalInspections.org

Based on facility documents, policy, interviews conducted and medical record review, the facility failed to maintain an accurate central log for any individual seeking treatment or assistance for 1 (Patient #21) of 21 patients reviewed.

Findings:

Review of facility EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment And Labor Act) log, no entry for Patient #21 was noted.

Review of facility policy "Emergency Medical Care Policy" last reviewed 06/2024 states "Tampa General Emergency Department will provide care, without discrimination, for Emergency Medical Conditions (EMC) (as directed under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to individual regardless of their eligibility under TGH's (Financial Assistance Policy LD-107)".

During an interview on 08/29/2024 10:27 AM, Patient #21's daughter stated I walked into the ER (Emergency Room) and asked the person at the front desk to help me get my mom out of the car. The person said "I'm not allowed to do that. If you want your mom checked out, then you need to bring her in yourself." Then Staff A/RN walked out. I explained the whole situation to Staff A/RN and how my mom was just discharged from the rehab across the parking lot. My mom was crying from a lot of pain. Patient #21's daughter asked Staff A/RN if she could come out to the car to look at my mom to see I should have mom checked out here. Staff A/RN said, "maybe you just need to go home and get your mom in her pajamas and get into her own bed". Patient #21 daughter said "Ok" and left.

During an interview on 09/03/2024 01:30 PM, Staff A/RN (Registered Nurse) stated Patient #21's daughter came into the ER after picking her mom up from a rehab. The daughter stated I think my mom has a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, urethra, and kidneys). The daughter asked me if I thought her mom should get checked out here. Staff A/RN stated if you would like your mom checked out, we will get her signed into the ER. Staff A/RN then stated the daughter said she will just taker her home.

Review of Patient #21's medical record reveals Patient #21 returned to Tampa General ER the next day on 03/31/2024 and expired on 04/03/2024.

The facility completed their corrective action plan on 06/30/2024. This plan included education on the EMTALA requirements, Patient transfers, general obligations for emergency services and EMTALA transfers, MSE (Medical Screening Examination), Emergency Medical Conditions, Stabilization, transfer vs discharge, and transfers requiring investigation and reporting. Employees were required to acknowledge education with a sign in sheet.
Evidence of the above was reviewed on 08/29/2024 and found plan of correction in place and completed.

Based on facility documents, policy, interviews conducted and medical record review, the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening for 1 (Patient #21) of 21 patients reviewed. Failure to provide an appropriate medical screen resulted in Patient #21's death.

Findings:

Review of facility EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment And Labor Act) log, no entry for Patient #21 was noted.

Review of facility policy "Emergency Medical Care Policy" last reviewed 06/2024 states "Tampa General Emergency Department will provide care, without discrimination, for Emergency Medical Conditions (EMC) (as directed under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to individual regardless of their eligibility under TGH's (Financial Assistance Policy LD-107)".

During an interview on 08/29/2024 10:27 AM, Patient #21's daughter stated I walked into the ER (Emergency Room) and asked the person at the front desk to help me get my mom out of the car. The person said "I'm not allowed to do that. If you want your mom checked out, then you need to bring her in yourself." Then Staff A/RN walked out. I explained the whole situation to Staff A/RN and how my mom was just discharged from the rehab across the parking lot. My mom was crying from a lot of pain. Patient #21's daughter asked Staff A/RN if she could come out to the car to look at my mom to see I should have mom checked out here. Staff A/RN said, "maybe you just need to go home and get your mom in her pajamas and get into her own bed". Patient #21 daughter said "Ok" and left.

During an interview on 09/03/2024 01:30 PM, Staff A/RN (Registered Nurse) stated Patient #21's daughter came into the ER after picking her mom up from a rehab. The daughter stated I think my mom has a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, urethra, and kidneys). The daughter asked me if I thought her mom should get checked out here. Staff A/RN stated if you would like your mom checked out, we will get her signed into the ER. Staff A/RN then stated the daughter said she will just taker her home.

Review of Patient #21's medical record reveals Patient #21 returned to Tampa General ER the next day on 03/31/2024 and expired on 04/03/2024.

The facility completed their corrective action plan on 06/30/2024. This plan included education on the EMTALA requirements, Patient transfers, general obligations for emergency services and EMTALA transfers, MSE (Medical Screening Examination), Emergency Medical Conditions, Stabilization, transfer vs discharge, and transfers requiring investigation and reporting. Employees were required to acknowledge education with a sign in sheet.
Evidence of the above was reviewed on 08/29/2024 and found plan of correction in place and completed.