Based on a review of facility policy, medical records (MR), and staff interviews (EMP), it was determined the facility failed to be in compliance with EMTALA regulation 489.20 (l) related to appropriate transfers.
Based on a review of facility policy, medical records (MR), and staff interviews (EMP), it was determined the facility failed to be in compliance with EMTALA regulation 489.20 (l) related to appropriate transfers.
Findings include:
It was determined the physicians failed to 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 medical facility outweigh the increased risks to the individual. The certification must contain a summary of the risks and benefits upon which it is based for 20 of 43 medical records reviewed. (MR4, MR5, MR11, MR13, MR16, MR22, MR24, MR26, MR27, MR31, MR32, MR33, MR34, MR36, MR38, MR39, MR40, MR41, MR42 and MR43) and failed to document that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient for 14 of 43 medical records reviewed. (MR4, MR5, MR13, MR16, MR 22, MR24, MR27, MR31, MR34, MR36, MR38, MR39, MR41 and MR43)
A review of facility policy "Pinnacle Health Hospitals Department of Emergency Services, last reviewed 5/17" revealed "Subject: Patient transfer from Emergency Department to Another Health Care Facility. Policy Statement: The Department of Emergency Medicine will provide for the proper transfer of patients in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)...3. The following requirement must be met prior to transfer: a. The PHH (Pinnacle Health Hospitals) Emergency Department must provide treatment, within its capacity, that minimizes risk to the patient's health, and in the case of a woman in labor, the health of the unborn child...e. The patient consent for transfer form (Attachment A) has been completed collaboratively between the nursing and the physician staff..."
A review of MR4 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 25, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR5 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on August 22, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR11 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on October 22, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR13 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on December 18, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR16 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on July 29, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR22 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on August 13, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR24 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on May 7, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR26 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on March 8, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR27 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on October 5, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR31 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on March 13, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR32 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 14, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR33 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on January 23, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR34 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 16, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR36 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on December 24, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR38 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on July 3, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR39 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 5, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR40 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on October 10, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR41 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on December 18, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR42 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on February 20, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
A review of MR43 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on August 18, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
Interviews conducted on September 19 and 20, 2017, with EMP3 confirmed the medical records did not contain a signed physician certification indicating the reason for transfer and the risks and benefits of the transfer.
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A review of facility policy "Pinnacle Health Hospitals Department of Emergency Services, last reviewed 5/17" revealed "Subject: Patient transfer from Emergency Department to Another Health Care Facility. Policy Statement: The Department if Emergency Medicine will provide for the proper transfer of patients in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)...3. The following requirements must be met prior to transfer:... c. All pertinent and available records are copied and sent with the patient being transferred outside of the Pinnacle Health System..."
A review of MR4 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 25, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR5 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on August 22, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR13 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on December 18, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR16 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on July 29, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR22 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on August 13, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR24 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on May 5, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR27 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on October 5, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR31 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on March 13, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR34 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 16, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR36 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on December 24, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR38 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on July 3, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR39 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on November 5, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR41 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on December 18, 2016, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
A review of MR43 revealed the patient was seen in the Emergency Department on August 18, 2017, and was transferred to a different hospital for additional care. The medical record did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
Interview conducted on September 19 and 20, 2017, with EMP3 confirmed the medical records did not contain documentation that a copy of the medical record accompanied the patient upon transfer.
Cross reference with:
489.20 (r)(2) and 489.24 (e)(1)-(2) Appropriate Transfer