ER Inspector JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITALJACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

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Updated September 19, 2019

This database was last updated in September 2019. It should only be used as a historical snapshot.Researchers can find more recent data on timely and effective care in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ hospitals datasets and guidance about hospital regulations.

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ER Inspector » Florida » JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

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JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

1611 nw 12th ave, miami, Fla. 33136

(305) 585-1111

69% of Patients Would "Definitely Recommend" this Hospital
(Fla. Avg: 69%)

5 violations related to ER care since 2015

Hospital Type

Acute Care Hospitals

Hospital Owner

Government - Hospital District or Authority

ER Volume

Very high (60K+ patients a year)

See this hospital's CMS profile page or inspection reports.

Patient Pathways Through This ER

After a patient arrives at the emergency room, they are typically seen by a doctor or medical practitioner and then either sent home or admitted to the hospital and taken to a room. A small percentage of patients leave without being seen. The chart below shows on average how long each of these pathways take. Lower numbers are better, and all times refer to the average length of time people waited.

Arrives at ER
2% of patients leave without being seen
8hrs 8min Admitted to hospital
12hrs 23min Taken to room
4hrs 10min Sent home

All wait times are average.

Detailed Quality Measures

Here is a more in depth look at each quality measure, compared to state and national averages for hospitals with very high ER volumes. Experts caution that very small differences between hospitals for a given measure are unlikely to correspond to noticeable differences in the real world.

Measure
Average for this Hospital
How this Hospital Compares

(to other hospitals with similar
ER volumes, when available)

Discharged Patients
Time Until Sent Home

Average time patients spent in the emergency room before being sent home (if not admitted).

4hrs 10min
National Avg.
2hrs 50min
Fla. Avg.
2hrs 31min
This Hospital
4hrs 10min
Impatient Patients
Left Without
Being Seen

Percentage of patients who left the emergency room without being seen by a doctor or medical practitioner.

2%
Avg. U.S. Hospital
2%
Avg. Fla. Hospital
1%
This Hospital
2%
Admitted Patients
Time Before Admission

Average time patients spent in the emergency room before being admitted to the hospital.

8hrs 8min

Data submitted were based on a sample of cases/patients.

National Avg.
5hrs 33min
Fla. Avg.
5hrs 12min
This Hospital
8hrs 8min
Admitted Patients
Transfer Time

Among patients admitted, additional time they spent waiting before being taken to their room (sometimes referred to as "boarding time.")

4hrs 15min

Data submitted were based on a sample of cases/patients.

National Avg.
2hrs 24min
Fla. Avg.
2hrs 10min
This Hospital
4hrs 15min
Special Patients
CT Scan

Percentage of patients who arrived with stroke symptoms and did not receive brain scan results within 45 mins.

21%
National Avg.
27%
Fla. Avg.
26%
This Hospital
21%

Violations Related to ER Care

Problems found in emergency rooms at this hospital since 2015, as identified during the investigation of a complaint. About This Data →

Violation
Full Text
EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL

Jan 2, 2019

Based on interview, record and policy review, the facility failed to provide medical and nursing personnel qualified in emergency care to meet the emergency needs of 1 (SP#1) out of 6 sample patients (SP) in accordance with acceptable standards of practice. Findings include: Review of sample patient (SP) #1 Emergency Services Triage Encounter Form dated 09/30/2018 revealed that patient arrived by Fire Rescue with a Chief Complaint of Syncope. Review of SP#1 Emergency Department Triage Assessment Form dated 09/30/2018 revealed recommended Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Acuity Level is 3.

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Based on interview, record and policy review, the facility failed to provide medical and nursing personnel qualified in emergency care to meet the emergency needs of 1 (SP#1) out of 6 sample patients (SP) in accordance with acceptable standards of practice. Findings include: Review of sample patient (SP) #1 Emergency Services Triage Encounter Form dated 09/30/2018 revealed that patient arrived by Fire Rescue with a Chief Complaint of Syncope. Review of SP#1 Emergency Department Triage Assessment Form dated 09/30/2018 revealed recommended Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Acuity Level is 3. Peripheral Pulse Rate: 48 beats per minute (LOW). Pediatric Sepsis Screen: Heart Rate Normal for age. Review of staff A Nursing Notes showed on 09/30/2018 at 08:50 am SP #1 heart rate reading low 39-48 but child is a/a (awake/alert) MD called to bedside. At 08:55 am MD at bedside made aware of hr. (heart rate) monitor with heart rate 98 (O2) sat 100%, hr (heart rate) keep fluctuating from low 30 to 73. At 11:13 am, child becoming agitated, taking off leads, and pulse oximeter, color pale, MD at bedside, child is not responding, will prepare for intubation, CPR started right away. Staff A assessment and documentation revealed that patient arrived at 08:59 to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) bradycardic with heart rate of 48. Initial triage note gave the patient an Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Level of 3 and stated patient has normal heart rate on Pediatric Sepsis Screen. According to the "General Vital Signs and Guidelines" provided by the hospital, for 4-6 years old, the normal heart rate is 70-120 beats/ minute. Review of SP#1 Emergency/Trauma Documentation dated 09/30/2018 revealed the patient presented to the Emergency Department by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after what was reported as a possible syncopal episode at home. According to the patient's mother, patient was having nausea, vomiting and diarrhea for 3 days associated with fever. On Sunday, the child had an episode of vomiting and diarrhea an episode where the child was clenching fists and having a stare and was nonresponsive afterwards. During this episode, the patient's face hit the nightstand and developed an abrasion of the upper lip. Patient's mother attempted to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation and called EMS. On EMS arrival patient was alert and oriented. Intravenous access was established and patient was transported to hospital pediatric emergency department. The onset was just prior to arrival. Triage vitals showed heart rate initially of 48, within few minutes the heart rate was in the upper 70s to 80s. At 10:06 AM, the heart rate shot up to 199 beats per minute. Emergency department physician was notified. Patient was alert and hemodynamically stable. Medication was given for the heart rate but was ineffective. An electrocardiogram was performed and showed sinus tachycardia in the 190s with short PR and right bundle branch block (irregular heart rate). Blood work was still pending and a Computed Tomography (CT) of the brain was ordered. The hospital transfer line was called at 10:17AM, patient was accepted and report was given to receiving physician. Patient pending transfer. After the patient returned from the CT scan patient had an episode of seizure activity associated with stare and unresponsiveness. At 11:26AM patient became bradycardic (slow heart rate) and bradypneic (slow breathing) and was immediately resuscitated. During this extensive code, patient recovered pulses briefly for few minutes on several occasions. During the code, the hospital transfer center was called to provide a new report to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) attending physician for transfer when the patient is stable. After almost 2 hours of resuscitation that was unsuccessful and the patient being back in asystole, patient was pronounced dead. Review of SP#1 Transfer Log dated 09/30/201 at 10:17AM revealed Reason for Transfer: Service not provided at the facility. Diagnosis: Tachycardia. Service: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Outcome of call: Pending. Follow-up Call at 11:08AM. Outcome of Call: Accepted. Additional Comments: Expired. Review of the Medication Administration record showed on 09/30/2018 Lorazepam 1 mg IV push was given. The order for Lorazepam 1 mg IV push was ordered on [DATE] at 20:43 PM. Interview with Emergency Department Medical Director on 12/03/2018 at 12:53 PM revealed that physicians are the only provider scheduled to work in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED). Physicians are certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. The PED (Pediatric Emergency Department) is functional 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. There is a physician available for 12 hour schedules of 8:00AM - 8:00PM and 8:00PM - 8:00AM. On 12/04/2018 during interview with the Director of ED (Emergency Department)at 12:45 PM revealed a delay in care was identified. Nurse informed MD (Medical Doctor); however, nurse felt that MD did not implement interventions in a timely manner and did not notify Charge Nurse of the concern because MD was at the bedside. Nurse was counseled about escalation policy and received remediation. Also, ED department is receiving on-going training. There are no pediatrician's on-staff. Physicians scheduled for Pediatric ED are board certified and privileged to assess, evaluate and initially treat patients of all ages. Risk Management did a review of communication for the transportation via recordings. Transfer Center Leadership identified a process change to be implemented in order to expedite the pediatric transfer process. This is related to the change in criteria that required the assembling of specific staff for the transfer. Interview on 01/02/2019 with Risk Management at 2:00 pm also revealed the [named children's hospital at the main campus] physicians are Board Certified Pediatricians, no added training for physicians at this campus were completed. Interview with Chief Nursing Officer on 01/02/2019 at Interview with Chief Nursing Officer on 1:07 PM revealed there was a Pediatric Emergency Department Comprehensive Exam that all current Pediatric Emergency Department Registered Nurses passed the assessment with a score of 80% or greater which identified competence. There was one nurse that was not successful with the exam and the re-take; therefore, the nurse was removed from the Pediatric Emergency Department area. Interview with Director of Quality on 01/02/2019 at 3:46PM revealed that there were currently no quality assessment performance improvement projects/indicators related to SP#1. Review of Policy Number 602 - Section: Clinical Management: Pediatrics - Subject: Pediatric Triage Criteria last revised 02/2011 revealed pediatric patients are defined as persons under the age of 18 years. Triage performed based on the presenting problem, illness or injury noted a guideline for establishing the acuity of a patient as life threatening, emergent, stable and non-urgent. Review of Policy Number 306 - Section: Clinical Management: Triage - Subject: Triage Management Policy last revised (06/2013) revealed Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Acuity Levels: Level 1 - The patient is unable to wait in triage; taken to designed treatment area immediately. Patient is dying and requires life-saving interventions. Level 2 - The patient able to wait in triage for a chart before being taken to the assigned treatment area. Patient has a high-risk situation. Patient is acutely confused/ lethargic/ disoriented. Level 3 describes the patient can wait in triage for the next available space in the assigned treatment area. Patient requires two or more resources. A Registered Nurse will perform the patient assessment and determine the individual's acuity based on sound clinical judgement and the appropriate standard as described according to patient complaints and symptoms. It is noted that Triage Protocols are meant as a "blue print" or "guide" for practice to assist the clinician, and may not address all practice situations. No written guide can replace the clinician's good clinical judgement and experience. If in doubt, the clinician is advised to seek senior resources to guide judgement and appropriately assign acuity in an individual case. Review of Policy Number 138 - Section: 100-200 Administration - Subject: Chain of Command Policy created (04/09/2018) revealed Nursing and Ancillary Chain of Command a: After the clinical staff evaluates the patient and the prescribed treatment regimen and makes the determination that there is a patient management issue, he/she shall contact the attending provider or the appropriate consultation of the orders or prescribed treatment. If a consultant is called, the attending provider should be notified and debriefed of the patient's condition. b: If, after discussion with the attending provider, the clinical staff remains concerned that the issue at hand may adversely affect the patient or does not comply with established policy and procedure of the hospital, or if the staff is unable to reach the attending provider, (s) he shall take the following steps: i. Document the calls to the attending provider. ii. Notify the Supervisor/Manager/Director or Administrator in Charge of the situation. Document such notification in the patient's medical record, including date, time and person notified and what was communicated or decided during the exchange. iii. Retain accountability for the patient; continue to monitor the patient's status and perform actions necessary to provide for the patient's well-being.

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COMPLIANCE WITH 489.24

Aug 4, 2016

Based on the review of the Fire Rescue report, letter to Fire Captain, hospital license, written statement, and policies and procedures and interviews by physicians and staff, the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination that was within the capability of the hospital's Emergency Department to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition existed for an individual sampled patient (SP #1) of 21 sampled patients who presented to the hospital ' s emergency department with complaints of second degree burns.

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Based on the review of the Fire Rescue report, letter to Fire Captain, hospital license, written statement, and policies and procedures and interviews by physicians and staff, the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination that was within the capability of the hospital's Emergency Department to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition existed for an individual sampled patient (SP #1) of 21 sampled patients who presented to the hospital ' s emergency department with complaints of second degree burns. Refer to findings in Tag A-2406. Based on the review of the Fire Rescue Report, policies and procedures and interviews, the hospital failed to ensure that 1 of 5 Sampled Patients (SP#1) was provided medical treatment that was within the capacity of the hospital to minimize the risks to the individual ' s health. The facility also failed to ensure that their Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) policy and procedure was followed related to transferring and unstable patient (SP#1) to another acute care hospital for treatment. Refer to findings in Tag A-2409.

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EMERGENCY ROOM LOG

Aug 4, 2016

Based on the review of the Fire Rescue report, Pre-arrival log, Emergency Department Log, policies and procedures and interview the facility failed to ensure the Emergency Department Log/control register maintained accurate information on each individual who comes to the emergency department seeking assistance and whether he or she refused treatment, was refused treatment, or whether he or she was transferred, admitted and treated, stabilized and transferred, or discharged for 1 of 21 Sampled Patients (SP#1). The Findings: Review of Fire Rescue report (dated 7/14/2016) showed Patient: Sampled Patient (SP #1), Complaint: Burns/ Explosion, a [AGE] year old male, who was rescued on 7/14/2016 for injury: with primary impression as burn.

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Based on the review of the Fire Rescue report, Pre-arrival log, Emergency Department Log, policies and procedures and interview the facility failed to ensure the Emergency Department Log/control register maintained accurate information on each individual who comes to the emergency department seeking assistance and whether he or she refused treatment, was refused treatment, or whether he or she was transferred, admitted and treated, stabilized and transferred, or discharged for 1 of 21 Sampled Patients (SP#1). The Findings: Review of Fire Rescue report (dated 7/14/2016) showed Patient: Sampled Patient (SP #1), Complaint: Burns/ Explosion, a [AGE] year old male, who was rescued on 7/14/2016 for injury: with primary impression as burn. Brief narrative showed that the patient poured lighter fluid on a BBQ and it flashed when lit. Patient sustained 2nd degree burns to lower legs, right forearm, and right hand. Record review of the Emergency Department (ED) log for the month of July, 2016 in particular on July 14, 2016 showed no evidence that SP#1 was presented and registered in the ED. Record review showed that the only record related to the July 14th burn case was the Pre- arrival registration log which showed BRAVO-C, Unknown arrived 7/14/2016 at 17:42; Mode of Injury (MOI) - Burn; disposition 07/14/2016 transfer to Hospital #2. There was no name, time of transfer, the date of birth and age was incorrect, and no medical screening was done, but according to the Trauma Medical Director/Trauma Surgeon he did a quick assessment to make sure the patient was stable for transfer. There was no evidence of any clinical records of a medical screening related to SP#1. Interview with the Emergency Department (ED) Nursing Director on 7/28/16 around 1:30 PM revealed, that SP#1 was not on the main ED log, but listed on the pre-arrival log for ground and air rescue. The ED log should have been updated with correct information, but the incident happened so fast and that the patient was brought in then transferred immediately to hospital #2. There was no opportunity for the ED staff to get the correct patient information. Review of the policy, " Patient Transfers between the JHS Hospital and Another Hospital " dated: 02/2013 stated at IV. A. 4. All emergency treatment areas are to maintain a record listing each individual who request emergency care and services or on whose behalf such services are requested, for a period of five years. Requested information shall also be included in the patient ' s permanent medical record, if a permanent medical record is created. The record shall indicate, at a minimum: patient's name, age, and sex, date, time and means of patient arrival, nature of complaint, and disposition: patient was transferred, admitted , treated, or stabilized and transferred; and time of departure.

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MEDICAL SCREENING EXAM

Aug 4, 2016

Based on the review of the Fire Rescue report, letter to Fire Captain, hospital license, written statement, and policies and procedures and interviews by physicians and staff, the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination that was within the capability of the hospital's Emergency Department to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition existed for an individual sampled patient (SP #1) of 21 sampled patients who presented to the hospital ' s emergency department with complaints of second degrees burns.

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Based on the review of the Fire Rescue report, letter to Fire Captain, hospital license, written statement, and policies and procedures and interviews by physicians and staff, the facility failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination that was within the capability of the hospital's Emergency Department to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition existed for an individual sampled patient (SP #1) of 21 sampled patients who presented to the hospital ' s emergency department with complaints of second degrees burns. The findings: Review of the Fire Rescue report (incident # 18), Patient (sampled patient) SP #1), Complaint: 7A3- Burns/ Explosion, showed this is a [AGE]-year-old male, who was rescued on 07/14/2016 for injury: yes; primary impression burn. Brief narrative showed that the patient poured lighter fluid on a BBQ and it flashed when lit. Patient sustained 2nd degree burns to lower legs, right forearm, right hand, approximately 12% (percent) BSA (Body Surface Area). The patient was given 10 mg (milligram) of Morphine sulfate (pain medication) intravenously with little pain relief to burned areas. Transfer date: 2016 -07-14 at 17:47:04 PM. " Jackson Memorial Hospital (Hospital #1) was contacted as the closest trauma center prior to arriving at the LZ (loading zone). Once ARS (Air Rescue Squad) received the pt (patient) from R6. Hospital #1 was contacted once again with more detailed patient information regarding the burn injuries. Hospital #1 received the report and acknowledged the ETA (estimate time of arrival). Upon arrival in the ER the trauma [named] physician advised that hospital #1 was not equipped to handle burns and could we transfer the pt to hospital #2 for burn treatment. Pt was loaded back into ARS for transfer to hospital #2, pt transferred without any incident or change. " Record review of letter sent by the Captain of the Fire Rescue dated 7/29/2016 at 9:10 AM, subject: Trauma Alert ... Burn patient, 7/14/2016 showed and it read: a trauma alert was declared with hospital #2 as the destination, as they were the closest burn center. Air Rescue's lieutenant later changed the destination to facility #1. His rationale was that facility #1 was the closest trauma center, irrespective of its burn capabilities dictates that burn patients meeting trauma alert criteria shall be transported to the closest burn center. Review of the hospital ' s current license effective 07/01/2016 to 6/30/2017 and the current license effective 07/25/2016 to 06/30/2017 showed that " burns " as one of the dedicated emergency department emergency services. Record review showed that the only record related to the July 14th burn case was the Pre- arrival registration log which showed BRAVO-C, Unknown arrived 7/14/2016 at 17:42; Mode of Injury (MOI) - Burn; disposition 07/14/2016 transfer to Hospital #2 (another acute care hospital). There was no patient name, time of transfer, the date of birth and age was incorrect, and no medical screening was done, but according to the Trauma Medical Director/Trauma Surgeon he did a quick assessment to make sure the patient was stable for transfer. Phone interview with the Trauma Medical Director/Trauma Surgeon on 7/28/2016 at 11:39 AM revealed that on that day 07/14/16, we received a Trauma/ Burn alert being transported by Air Rescue to our center. We are not a Burn Center and in light of this I tried to redirect the Helicopter Team to bring the patient to the nearest Burn Center Level I Trauma Center (Hospital #2). Unfortunately, the Air Rescue team had already landed so as they presented, I redirected the team after I assured the patient was stable for them to just continue on to Hospital #2 without admitting him to our unit which I felt would be best care for the patient, with the least delay, and ethically the right thing to do. I did not refuse the patient. Since we are new as a Level II Trauma center, there was a lot of confusion about our ability to handle this type of patient. It was unclear to some rescue that we have our limitations as a Level II Trauma Center. Interview in person with the Trauma Surgeon, on August 3, 2016 around 2:30 PM revealed, " when he got the call about the burn (SP #1) Trauma Alert on 7/14/16 he promptly went to the ED and was about to call the Air Rescue and request to divert the patient to the nearest Trauma Burn Center (Hospital #2), but Air Rescue was already in the process of landing. As soon as he saw the patient in the ED's hallway he made a quick assessment of the patient's condition and made sure SP#1 was stable enough to be immediately airlifted again and transferred to the closest Trauma Burn Center without delay. " The Trauma surgeon added that my reasoning was that the patient needed to be rapidly cared for in the facility that was most prepared and capable to treat the severity of the patient's condition. In this case, the patient needed to go to the nearest burn center. There was no need to delay the transfer for another hour when SP #1 can be airlifted and treated immediately thus preventing any deterioration of the condition. The important thing was that the patient was safe. There were really opportunities for improvement learned from this incident. I personally spoke with the Director of (name of) Trauma Center (Hospital #3) at JMH (Jackson Memorial Hospital) main campus and discussed this case. The Trauma Surgeon further stated in part, " Looking back, we should have documented everything we did. " The interviews with the Trauma Medical Director/Trauma Surgeon validated that there was no documented evidence of any clinical records of a medical screening examination being performed by a qualified medical personnel related to SP#1 on 7/14/2016. Review of a written statement from the Trauma Medical Director/Trauma surgeon dated 7/28/2016 -subject: July redirect to burn Center showed in part, Follow-up statement dated 7/28/2016-1:59 PM subject follow-up on July 14th burn case reads, " I then called our Burn Center at Hospital #3 to inform them of my decision. The recommendations for future patients of this Red Criteria and circumstances is to simply accept, admit the patient and then go through the process of transferring them to our Burn Center if needed since hospital #3 is on the most experienced Burn Center... I also called and followed up with the pre-hospital team leader to discuss future recommendations on the care of Burn patients as to those who meet Burn Trauma criteria and those who do not meet so we are all on the same page. " Interview conducted with the ED Nursing Director and Associate Director of Quality/Compliance Officer on 7/28/2016 at 10:10 AM confirmed that Hospital #1 has been designated as a Level II Trauma designation. The big difference with Level I Trauma Center was that Level II Trauma -do not have the capability for patients requiring Organized Burn Care or Pediatric ICU (Intensive Care Unit). The Rescue or ambulance are redirected to the closest Level I Trauma Facility (Hospital #2) if still in route. The Trauma (Registered Nurse) who was working on July 14, 2016 was interviewed on 7/28/2016 between 2:15 PM to 2:40 PM. The Trauma (Registered Nurse) RN#1 stated, in general, the nurse gets the radio report from the radio dispatcher, from the company called MED-COM. According to him no complete information was given; only pre-alert is given stating that ARS is on the way. He did not receive the call. However, according to him he remembered a report was received that day. Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) was 2 minutes. But they are already there. He does not recall who received the call. Interview conducted on 07/28/2016 between 2:15 PM to 2:40 PM with Trauma RN#2, it was reported she did not receive the call but she recalled she went to the helipad while other Team members prepared the Trauma room. She also said that the patient was brought down to the ED and didn't make it to the Trauma room. Trauma RN#2 stated further that the Trauma Medical Director/ Trauma Surgeon saw the patient (SP#1) in the hallway enroute to the Trauma room, made a quick assessment of the patient, determined the patient required a Trauma Level I services, and requested Air Rescue to transfer the patient to Hospital #2. Review of the policy, " Patient Transfers between the JHS Hospital and Another Hospital " dated: 02/2013 state at IV. A. When an individual comes to a JHS Hospital* and a request is made, in any form or manner, by the individual or on the individual ' s behalf for examination or treatment for a suspected emergency medical condition or active labor, the authorized hospital staff, as described in the Medical Staff Bylaws, shall immediately initiate an appropriate medical screening examination to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition or active labor exists. Under H. *note that for patients who came to the hospital seeking medical care for a suspected emergency condition, the emergency care for a suspected emergency condition, the emergency screening examination must be completed prior to making such a determination.

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APPROPRIATE TRANSFER

Aug 4, 2016

Based on the review of the Fire Rescue Report, policies and procedures and interviews, the hospital failed to ensure that 1 of 5 Sampled Patients (SP#1) was provided medical treatment that was within the capacity of the hospital to minimize the risks to the individual ' s health.

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Based on the review of the Fire Rescue Report, policies and procedures and interviews, the hospital failed to ensure that 1 of 5 Sampled Patients (SP#1) was provided medical treatment that was within the capacity of the hospital to minimize the risks to the individual ' s health. The facility also failed to ensure that their Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) policy and procedure was followed related to transferring an unstable patient (SP#1) to another acute care hospital for treatment. The Findings: Review of the policy, " Patient Transfers between the JHS Hospital and Another Hospital " date: 02/2013 state at IV. C. 4. General Procedure: for transfer from JHS to another Hospital: The conditions and information as outlined in the Transfer Form (C-210W) must be adhered to in order to transfer a patient to another hospital as outlined in section IV: C.1-IV.C.3 above. Specifically, the sections of the transfer form are: " a. Physician Counseling of the Patient...For all patients, the physician is to document that he/she explained the risks and benefits of transfer to this patient, b. Informed Patient Consent: Written consent for transfer muse be obtained from the patient or person who is legally responsible for the patient ...The consent procedure will include a description of the medical risks and benefits of transfer by the physician, with documentation to be included in the medical record that these have been discussed with the patient if patient ' s legal representative ... c. Reason for transfer that the patient will be transferred is to be indicated. d. Physician Statement Regarding Authorization for Transfer Authorization: The physician ' s statement shall reflect the current status of the patient, following a screening evaluation and indicate whether or not the patient is stable for transfer and whether or not the transfer is authorized. For patients to be transferred with an active emergency medical condition, the PHT attending physician must sign a certification that, based upon the information available at the time of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from the provision of appropriate medical treatment at another hospital outweigh the increased risks to the individual ' s medical condition from effecting the transfer. The sending physician ' s signature in the Statement Regarding Authorization for Transfer may serve as the physician ' s order for transfer of a patient from JMH to a receiving hospital.; e. preparation for transfer and communication of pertinent medical information: ...(4) For patients originating for transfer from the Emergency Service s area: the transfer Center will assist and confirm arrangements and consent of personnel at the receiving hospital and review the Transfer Form (C-210 W) to make sure it is complete ...F. Transfer Documentation: ... (2) The sending JHS physician shall discuss the transfer with the accepting physician at the receiving hospital. An agreement must be reached that the patient is stable for transfer. The name of the accepting physician will be listed on the transfer form ... (3) When the patient is leaving from the Emergency Services Area, the Transfer Center (or corresponding departments ...) shall verify and document that the receiving hospital and physician have accepted the patient and that a bed is available ... (5) The JHS nurse shall communicate the patients current medical status to the receiving ...hospital. (6) The JHS Hospital Secretary will make copies of the patient ' s medical record and obtain copies of x-rays and lab results. The copy of the medical records will be sent with the patient ... " Review of Fire Rescue report (incident # 18), Patient (sampled patient) (SP #1), Complaint: 7A3- Burns/ Explosion, showed this is a [AGE]-year-old male, who was rescued on 07/14/2016 for injury: yes; primary impression burn. Brief narrative showed that the patient poured lighter fluid on a BBQ and it flashed when lit. Patient sustained 2nd degree burns to lower legs, right forearm, right hand, approximately 12% (percent) BSA. Transfer date: 2016 -07-14 at 17:47:04 PM. The hospital #1 was contacted as the closest trauma center prior to arriving at the LZ (loading zone). Once ARS received the pt (patient) from R6. Hospital #1 was contacted once again with more detailed patient information regarding the burn injuries. Hospital #1 received the report and acknowledged the ETA (estimate time of arrival). Upon arrival in the ER the trauma [named] physician advised that hospital #1 was not equipped to handle burns and could we transfer the pt to hospital #2 for burn treatment. Pt was loaded back into ARS for transfer to hospital #2, pt transferred without any incident or change. There was no evidence of any clinical records from Hospital #1 that a medical screening examination was performed on 7/14/2016 for SP#1. Phone interview with the Trauma Medical Director/ Trauma Surgeon on 7/28/2016 at 11:39 AM revealed that on that day 07/14/16, we received a Trauma/ Burn alert being transported by Air Rescue to our center. We are not a Burn Center and in light of this I tried to redirect the Helicopter Team to bring the patient to the nearest Burn Center Level I Trauma Center (Hospital#2). Unfortunately, the Air Rescue team has already landed so as they presented, I redirected the team after I assured the patient was stable for them to just continue on to Hospital #2 without admitting him to our unit which I felt would be best care for the patient, with least delay, and ethically the right thing to do. I did not refuse the patient. Since we are new as a Level II Trauma center, there was a lot of confusion about our ability to handle this type of patient. It was unclear to some rescue that we have our limitations as a Level II Trauma Center. Interview conducted on 07/28/2016 between 2:15 PM to 2:40 PM with Trauma RN#2 stated she did not receive the call but she recalled she went to the helipad while other Team members prepared the Trauma room. She also said that the patient was brought down to the ED and didn't make it to the Trauma room. Trauma RN#2 stated further that the Trauma Medical Director/ Trauma Surgeon saw the patient (SP#1) in the hallway in route to the Trauma room, made a quick assessment of the patient, determined that patient required a Trauma Level I services, and requested Air Rescue to transfer patient #SP1 to Hospital #2. Interview in person with the Trauma Surgeon, on August 3, 2016 around 2:30 PM revealed that "when he got the call about the burn (SP #1) Trauma Alert on 7/14/16 he promptly went to the ED and was about to call the Air Rescue and request to divert the patient to the nearest Trauma Burn Center (Hospital #2) but Air Rescue was already in the process of landing. As soon as he saw the patient in the ED ' s hallway he made a quick assessment of the patient ' s condition and made sure the patient was stable enough to be immediately airlifted again and transferred to the closest Trauma burn center without delay. " There was no need to delay the transfer for another hour when SP#1 can be airlifted and treated immediately thus preventing any deterioration of the condition. The Trauma Surgeon further stated in part, " Looking back we should have communicated to the receiving facility about the transfer. " The facility failed to ensure that there policy and procedure was followed as evidenced by there was no documented evidence of a written transfer certification that was signed by the ED physician, based upon the reasonable risks and benefits to the patient, and based upon the information available at the time of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from the provision of appropriate medical treatment at another acute care hospital outweighed the increased risks to the individual ' s medical condition from effecting the transfer. There was no documented evidence that the ED nurse had communicated with the receiving hospital regarding the medical status of SP #1 on 7/14/2016. There was also no documented evidence that the physician discussed SP#1 ' s care to an accepting physician and to obtain acceptance of the patient on 7/14/2016. As this resulted in an inappropriate transfer for SP#1.

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Notes

“Average time” refers to the median wait time (the midpoint of all patients' wait times). References to “doctor or medical practitioner” indicate a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. CMS reports the CT scan quality measure as the percentage of patients who received a scan within 45 minutes. We have reversed that measure so that all measures follow a “lower is better” pattern.

Additional design and development by Mike Tigas and Sisi Wei.

Sources

All data comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Detailed quality measures at the hospital, state and national level were last updated September 2019. Most data was collected between October 2017 and October 2018. Data on ER-related violations is from January 2015 to June 2019.

Additional Info

How We've Updated ER Inspector | Download ProPublica's Emergency Room Planning Toolkit | About This Data

Don’t See Your ER?

In some cases we aren’t able to identify the exact location of a hospital, so it doesn’t appear on our mapped search results. However, it may still be in our database – try looking for it in the list of hospitals on each state's page.

In other cases, the hospital is missing from our database because it doesn't have an emergency department.

In other cases, the hospital is missing from the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data. There are a couple of reasons why a hospital isn’t included in CMS data: it may not participate in Medicare, or it may share a certification number with another hospital (common across large hospital systems).

If you notice a hospital missing from our database, please first check if you can find it on CMS' website, and that it is listed as having an ER. If so, please email us with the hospital name and address.