Question

Tracey does not have insurance coverage. She presents to NSA Memorial Hospital for treatment of what she believes is a severe cold. When she arrives at NSA Memorial Hospital she is triaged and told to wait in the waiting room for treatment.

Part 1: What are the next steps NSA Memorial Hospital must take to comply with EMTALA?

Part 2: What happens if they determine Tracey has an Emergency Medical Condition?

Answer 1

EMTALA

Part 1- Once Tracey is triaged and told to wait in the waiting room for treatment, to comply with EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act), NSA Memorial Hospital should take the following step:-

1. The hospital should arrange for a medical screening examination within the scope of the hospital’s arrangement and capacity of handling emergency. This includes the availability of supplementary services to the emergency department. This should be done to check for the existence of emergency medical condition.

Part 2- If the hospital finds an emergency medical condition then the following steps should be taken in compliance with EMTALA

1. The hospital should immediately start with the treatment to stabilize the condition, if it is in the scope and capacity of the hospital, or should immediately transfer the patient to another hospital with the required treatment facilities.
2. While transferring the patient, the hospital should strictly adhere to the guidelines and restrictions laid by EMTALA which specifies the condition of transferring to be solely medical necessity.

EMTALA compliance is mandatory irrespective of the fact whether the patient has insurance coverage or not. To summarize the hospital in compliance with EMTALA should

1. Opt for screening to check for emergency condition.
2. Provide treatment to stabilize the condition.
3. Arrange for suitable transfer if required.
4. Accept transfer if required.