The information below comes from the statement of deficiencies compiled by health inspectors and provided to AHCJ by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It does not include the steps the hospital plans to take to fix the problem, known as a plan of correction. For that information, you should contact the hospital, your state health department or CMS. Accessing the document may require you to file a Freedom of Information Request. Information on doing so is available here.

BAYSTATE MEDICAL CENTER 759 CHESTNUT STREET SPRINGFIELD, MA 01199 June 16, 2014
VIOLATION: EMERGENCY SERVICES POLICIES Tag No: A1104
Based on record review, staff interview, and review of hospital policies and procedures on 6/16/2014, the hospital failed to ensure that policies and procedures for pain assessment of patients presenting for medical care and treatment in the Emergency Department (ED) were followed by nursing staff for two patients (Pt #5 and #9) in a total sample of ten ED patients.

Findings include:

1.) Hospital policies and procedures related to pain assessment indicated that all patients presenting to the ED shall be questioned regarding pain. The assessment shall include the intensity of pain (using an age appropriate pain scale).

2.) For Pt #5, the Triage Note, dated 5/13/14 at 12:50 P.M., indicated the patient arrived to the ED and complained of left arm pain at the site of a fistula. The intensity of the pain was not documented, as required by policy.

3.) For Pt #9, the Triage Note, dated 5/13/14 at 1:24 P.M., indicated the patient arrived to the ED and complained of right leg pain. The intensity of the pain was not documented, as required by policy.