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Based on record review and interview, the hospital failed to ensure the ED physicians informed the patient, or a legally responsible person acting on the patient's behalf, in writing of the risks and benefits of the transfer as evidenced by failure to have documented evidence that 14 (#1, #2, #3, #7, #9, #10, #12, #14-#20) of 20 ED patients (#1-#20) (or their responsible party) transferred were informed of the risks and benefits of transfer.

Findings:

Review of the policy/procedure titled, "Patient Transfers", last revised 05/2023 revealed in part: 5.13 Requirements of Transfer: Hospital sends to the receiving facility all medical records available at the time of transfer related to the individual's emergency condition for which the individual presented, including observations of signs or symptoms, preliminary diagnosis, results of any diagnostic studies or telephone reports, treatment provided, the requisite informed written consent to transfer or certification, and the name and address of any on-call physician who has refused or failed to appear within a reasonable time to provide necessary stabilizing treatment.

Review of ED medical records for 14 (#1, #2, #3, #7, #9, #10, #12, #14-#20) of 20 patients (#1-#20) transferred to other facilities revealed no documentation of informed consent of the risks and benefits of transfer by the physician.

In an interview on 10/24/23 at 10:35 a.m. S1DED verified there was no documentation of informed consent of the risks and benefits of transfer on 14 of 20 medical records reviewed.