HospitalInspections.org

Review of personnel files, policy review and interviews revealed the hospital failed to comply with 489.24 in that:

The Hospital did not provide a medical screening within the hospital's capability for 1 of 20 patients (Patient #1) who presented on Hospital property 09/10/13 for a medical screening.

On 09/12/13 at 10:00 AM, Personnel #3 was interviewed. Personnel #3 stated (Patient #1's) aide entered the hosptial on 09/10/13 to get a wheelchair. Personnel #3 stated Personnel #2 was standing in the hallway and asked the aide what was going on. The aide said (Patient #1's) stomach was hurting. Personnel #3 stated Personnel #2 informed the aide the CT machine was down so her stomach could not be checked. Personnel #3 stated the aide left and returned saying (Patient #1) was not coming in if she did not get pain medication. Personnel #3 stated the aide proceeded to shut the doors and left. The surveyor asked Personnel #3 if she documented the above event and/or saw the patient. Personnel #3 stated "No."

On 09/12/13 at 10:30 AM, Personnel #2 was interviewed. Personnel #2 stated the aide came into the hospital to get a wheelchair and informed Personnel #2 (Patient #1) was complaining of abdominal pain. Personnel #2 stated he informed the aide the CT machine was down and advised the aide the patient should go to a secondary hospital. Personnel #2 stated he informed the aide they would see the patient. Personnel #2 stated the aide left with the patient. Personnel #2 was asked by the surveyor if either he and/or Personnel #3 went out to the aides vehicle to see (Patient #1). Personnel #2 stated "No."

The policy entitled, "EMTALA obligations medical screening examination" with a revision date of 03/23/04 reflected, "Comes to the Emergency Department" or "Comes to the Hospital: means when: An individual presents anywhere in the Hospital or from outside the Hospital property, even, if the individual presents at a location other than the emergency department...someone other than the individual may act on behalf of the individual seeking an examination or medical care (does not have to be legally responsible person)...these requests must be honored as if the individual made the request..."

Based on interview and record review the Hospital failed to provide a medical screening for 1 of 20 patients (Patient #1) who presented on Hospital property 09/10/13 for a medical screening.

Findings included:

On 09/12/13 at 10:00 AM, Personnel #3 was interviewed. Personnel #3 stated (Patient #1's) aide entered the hosptial on 09/10/13 to get a wheelchair. Personnel #3 stated Personnel #2 was standing in the hallway and asked the aide what was going on. The aide said (Patient #1's) stomach was hurting. Personnel #3 stated Personnel #2 informed the aide the CT machine was down so her stomach could not be checked. Personnel #3 stated the aide left and returned saying (Patient #1) was not coming in if she did not get pain medication. Personnel #3 stated the aide proceeded to shut the doors and left. The surveyor asked Personnel #3 if she documented the above event and/or saw the patient. Personnel #3 stated "No."

On 09/12/13 at 10:30 AM, Personnel #2 was interviewed. Personnel #2 stated the aide came into the hospital to get a wheelchair and informed Personnel #2 (Patient #1) was complaining of abdominal pain. Personnel #2 stated he informed the aide the CT machine was down and advised the aide the patient should go to a secondary hospital. Personnel #2 stated he informed the aide they would see the patient. Personnel #2 stated the aide left with the patient. Personnel #2 was asked by the surveyor if either he and/or Personnel #3 went out to the aides vehicle to see (Patient #1). Personnel #2 stated "No."

The policy entitled, "EMTALA obligations medical screening examination" with a revision date of 03/23/04 reflected, "Comes to the Emergency Department" or "Comes to the Hospital: means when: An individual presents anywhere in the Hospital or from outside the Hospital property, even, if the individual presents at a location other than the emergency department...someone other than the individual may act on behalf of the individual seeking an examination or medical care (does not have to be legally responsible person)...these requests must be honored as if the individual made the request..."