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Based on document review and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to have policies and procedures in effect to ensure compliance with 42 CFR 489.24 and related provisions at 42 CFR 489.20.

Findings include:

Review of hospital documentation and staff interviews revealed the facility did not comply with all of the provisions of maintaining a central log and providing a medical screening examination for all patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

Please reference findings under Tag A-2405 and A-2406.

Based on document review and interview, a central log was not maintained for Patient #1 who presented to the ED on 7/18/12 seeking admission with chief complaint of substance abuse and bulimia.

Findings include:

Review of the Emergency Department Visit Log dated 7/18/12 revealed no evidence Patient #1 was entered into the log after she presented seeking admission with chief complaint of substance abuse and bulimia.

During interview on 8/6/12 at 11:20 AM, Staff #2, the ED Nurse Manager, stated that although Patient #1 presented to the ED for care on 7/18/12, the patient was not entered into the ED log.

Based on document review and interview, there is no evidence to indicate Patient #1 received an appropriate medical screening examination after her presentation to the ED on 7/18/12 seeking admission with chief complaint of substance abuse and bulimia.

Findings include:

Review on 8/7/12 of the hospital's "Investigation Summary" regarding Patient #1's presentation to the ED on 7/18/12 revealed an individual presented at the ED on 7/18/12 requesting treatment stating she is bulimic and has substance abuse issues. The ED triage nurse, Staff #1, spoke to the patient and recommended that the patient go to the nutrition clinic at another facility.

During interview on 8/6/12 at 11:20 AM, Staff #2, the ED Nurse Manager, stated that on 7/19/12 the patient's mother contacted the hospital regarding the care the patient recieved in the ED on 7/18/12. The hospital's investigation of the incident, which included interviews of involved staff, revealed Patient #1 presented to the ED on 7/18/12 requesting admission for substance abuse and bulima. The patient was not logged in or given a medical screening exam and instead was referred to a nutrition clinic.

There is no evidence a medical screening examination was performed on Patient #1 after her presentation to the ED on 7/18/12 seeking admission with chief complaint of substance abuse and bulimia.