ER Inspector EASTERN NIAGARA HOSPITALEASTERN NIAGARA HOSPITAL

ER Inspector

Find and Evaluate Every Emergency Room Near You

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.

If you are having a heart attack or life-threatening emergency, call 911.

ER Inspector » New York » EASTERN NIAGARA HOSPITAL

Don’t see your ER? Find out why it might be missing.

EASTERN NIAGARA HOSPITAL

521 east avenue, lockport, N.Y. 14094

(716) 514-5700

48% of Patients Would "Definitely Recommend" this Hospital
(N.Y. Avg: 66%)

6 violations related to ER care since 2015

Hospital Type

Acute Care Hospitals

Hospital Owner

Voluntary non-profit - Private

ER Volume

Low (0 - 20K 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
4hrs 38min Admitted to hospital
6hrs 8min Taken to room
2hrs 40min 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 low 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).

2hrs 40min
National Avg.
1hr 53min
N.Y. Avg.
2hrs 1min
This Hospital
2hrs 40min
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. N.Y. Hospital
2%
This Hospital
2%
Admitted Patients
Time Before Admission

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

4hrs 38min

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

National Avg.
3hrs 30min
N.Y. Avg.
4hrs 38min
This Hospital
4hrs 38min
Admitted Patients
Transfer Time

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

1hr 30min

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

National Avg.
57min
N.Y. Avg.
1hr 28min
This Hospital
1hr 30min
Special Patients
CT Scan

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

No Data Available

The number of cases/patients is too few to report.

National Avg.
27%
N.Y. Avg.
26%
This Hospital
No Data Available

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
COMPLIANCE WITH 489.24

Mar 1, 2016

Based upon document review and interview, the facility did not comply with all of the provisions for maintaining a central log and conducting a medical screening exam.

See More ↓

Based upon document review and interview, the facility did not comply with all of the provisions for maintaining a central log and conducting a medical screening exam. Please reference findings under Tag A2405 and A2406.

See Less ↑
EMERGENCY ROOM LOG

Mar 1, 2016

Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that all individuals presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) are entered into the central log for 1 of 26 patients (Patient #1).

See More ↓

Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that all individuals presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) are entered into the central log for 1 of 26 patients (Patient #1). This failure could result in a patient not receiving a medical screening exam. Findings include: Review of ENH -Nursing TRIAGE: (Emergency Severity Index) ESI Policy revised 10/10/15 revealed triage is the process by which the RN prioritizes patients (according to severity of illness or injury and level of resources needed by the patient) upon arrival to the Emergency Department (ED). All patients will be directed to the triage area on arrival to the ED, except emergency cases which will be taken immediately to a treatment area. Interview with Staff G on 3/1/16 at 10:00am revealed that patients presenting to the ED are entered into the ED central log. The patient information obtained is then transmitted to the tracker board located in the ED for viewing by the clinical staff, following which the RN triages the patient. Review of the ED central log dated 2/13/16 to 2/15/16 revealed Patient #1 was not entered into the log. Interview with Staff C on 3/1/16 at 9:00am revealed the patient (MDS) dated [DATE] sometime after midnight requesting to be seen. The patient was noted to be pregnant with complaints of bleeding. The registration clerk contacted the maternity unit, but did not enter the patient into the central log. After questions related to who the patient's physician was and how much bleeding the patient had were relayed between the maternity nurse, registration clerk and patient, the patient questioned if she should have gone on to the hospital her physician was at and was told that it was her choice. The patient left and (MDS) dated [DATE] at 2:09am. Interview with Staff B on 3/1/16 verified the above finding.

See Less ↑
MEDICAL SCREENING EXAM

Mar 1, 2016

Based upon interview and document review, the hospital did not provide a medical screening examination for 1 of 26 patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) (Patient #1).

See More ↓

Based upon interview and document review, the hospital did not provide a medical screening examination for 1 of 26 patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) (Patient #1). A lack of a medical screening exam could result in an emergency medical condition not being identified and treated. Findings include: Review of the facility's Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) Policy, last reviewed March 2015 revealed that any patient presenting to the hospital and requesting treatment for a medical condition, will receive a medical screening exam by a physician to determine if an emergency medical condition exists. Interview with Staff C on 3/1/16 at 9:00am revealed the patient (MDS) dated [DATE] sometime after midnight requesting to be seen. The patient was noted to be pregnant with complaints of bleeding. The registration clerk contacted the maternity unit, but did not enter the patient into the central log or generate a medical record. After questions related to who the patient's physician was and how much bleeding the patient had were relayed between the maternity nurse, registration clerk and patient, the patient questioned if she should have gone on to the hospital her physician was at and was told that it was her choice. The patient left without a medical screening exam and (MDS) dated [DATE] at 2:09am, where she was evaluated and treated. Medical record review revealed no evidence that a medical record was generated or that a medical screening exam was performed on 2/14/16 for Patient #1. This finding was verified with Staff B on 3/1/16.

See Less ↑
COMPLIANCE WITH 489.24

Aug 26, 2015

Based upon document review and interview, the facility did not comply with all of the provisions for maintaining a central log and conducting a medical screening exam.

See More ↓

Based upon document review and interview, the facility did not comply with all of the provisions for maintaining a central log and conducting a medical screening exam. Please reference findings under Tag A2405 and A2406.

See Less ↑
EMERGENCY ROOM LOG

Aug 26, 2015

Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that all individuals presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) are entered into the central log for 1 of 21 patients (Patient #1).

See More ↓

Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that all individuals presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) are entered into the central log for 1 of 21 patients (Patient #1). This failure could result in a patient not receiving a medical screening exam. Findings: Review of ENH -Nursing TRIAGE: (Emergency Severity Index) ESI Policy revised 1/10/12 reviewed 12/19/14. Triage is the process by which the RN prioritizes patients (according to severity of illness or injury and level of resources needed by the patient) upon arrival to the emergency room . Every Patient that presents to the ED is triaged and assigned an ESI number. Interview with Staff # 3 RN, ED dated 8/26/15 at 9:30AM revealed that it is the expectation that every patient who presents to the ED is entered into the ED central log. Review of the ED central log dated 8/7/15 to 8/9/15 revealed the patient was not entered into the log. On interview on 8/26/15 at 8:45AM, Staff #11, ED physician stated that he was familiar with the patient as the patient presents to the ED frequently and on 8/8/15 "it was probably me who spoke with the patient". Staff # 11 indicated that when the patient presents, he goes out to the waiting room and asks the patient if there is anything wrong. The patient is then reassured and sent on his way. It was noted that there probably is not a record for the patient on 8/8/15 because he was not registered. Interview with Staff # 1 on 8/26/15 verified the above finding.

See Less ↑
MEDICAL SCREENING EXAM

Aug 26, 2015

Based upon interview and document review, the hospital did not provide an appropriate medical screening examination for 1 of 21 patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) (Patient #1).

See More ↓

Based upon interview and document review, the hospital did not provide an appropriate medical screening examination for 1 of 21 patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) (Patient #1). A lack of a medical screening exam could result in an emergency medical condition not being identified and treated. Findings include: Review of the facility's Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) Policy 4.2 revised 8/2013 reviewed 3/2015 revealed that any patient presenting to the hospital and requesting treatment for a medical condition, will receive a medical screening exam by a physician to determine if an emergency medical condition exists. On interview on 8/26/15 at 8:45AM, Staff #11, ED physician stated that he was familiar with the patient as the patient presents to the ED frequently and on 8/8/15 "it was probably me who spoke with the patient". Staff # 11 indicated that when the patient presents, he goes out to the waiting room and asks the patient if there is anything wrong. The patient is then reassured and sent on his way. It was noted that there probably is not a record for the patient on 8/8/15 because he was not registered. Medical record review revealed no documentation of an ED visit and medical screening exam on 8/8/15 for Patient #1. Interview with Staff # 12 RN, ED regarding Patient #1 and the date of 8/8/15 was conducted on 8/26/15 at 8:55am. Staff #12 stated " I don ' t remember that particular day. The doctors go out and talk to him (Patient #1) to ensure nothing is going on and reassure him and he is always smiling when he leaves. He comes in here a lot and just needs that reassurance". This finding was verified with Staff #1 on 8/26/15 at 8:45AM.

See Less ↑
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.