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.

1. What are the next steps NSA Memorial Hospital must take to comply with EMTALA?
2. What happens if they determine Tracey has an Emergency Medical Condition?

Answer 1

Answer is explained in the explanation section below.

Step-by-step explanation:

1.

To comply with EMTALA (Emergency Medical Care and Labor Act), NSA Memorial Hospital should take the following measures once Tracey has been triaged and told to wait in the waiting room for treatment:

Within the scope of the hospital's structure and ability for treating emergencies, a medical screening test should be arranged. This includes the emergency department's access to supplemental resources. This should be done to rule out the possibility of a medical emergency.

2.

If an emergency medical condition is found in the hospital, the following steps should be taken in accordance with EMTALA.

If medication to stabilize the condition is beyond the reach and capability of the facility, it should begin immediately, or the patient should be moved to another hospital with the appropriate treatment facilities.

The hospital should strictly follow EMTALA's guidelines and restrictions when moving the patient, which states that the condition of transfer must be purely medical necessity.

Regardless of whether the patient has insurance coverage or not, EMTALA enforcement is required. To summarize, the hospital should comply with EMTALA.

Select screening to determine whether an emergency situation exists.

Stabilize the situation with care.

If possible, make arrangements for a suitable move.

Accept the move if it is necessary.