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Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to comply with the requirements of 42 CFR 489.24 [special responsibilities of Medicare hospitals in emergency cases], specifically the reporting obligation. See C2401.

Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to report within 72 hours that they received an individual who had been transferred from another facility who did not receive a proper Emergency Medical Screening from the emergency room physician from the transferring facility. Findings include:

During an interview on 07/05/11 at approximately 1330, Physician #1 stated that he was working the emergency room on June 12, 2011 and one of the nurses informed him that she had received a call from an ED (Emergency Department) nurse (from Facility #1) regarding a young adult woman (patient #1). He was told the patient presented to (Facility #1) with abdominal pain and had been directed to come to by private vehicle to our ED (Facility #2). No other information was given.

During a medical screening for patient #1 on 06/12/11 at 1639, Physician #1 realized that this was the patient that registered nurse #1 at facility #1 spoke about during a "courtesy call" to Facility #2.

Patient #1 could not produce any medical records to physician #1 for treatment or discharge from Facility #1. Physician #1 stated on 07/05/11 at approximately 1332 during a phone interview that " I reflected on it and believe it is a clear EMTALA violation. I also realize that the 72 hour reporting window has lapsed and I should have brought this to your (state agency) attention."