The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) was enacted to prevent patient dumping by hospitals seeking to avoid unrecoverable costs of care for patients without insurance or the ability to pay for medical services. Language within the statute has led to inconsistencies in how it has been interpreted. Patient dumping and inappropriate medical screening examinations (MSEs) are the most common reasons for EMTALA violations (Ladd & Gupta, 2021). This course will describe how key terms are currently interpreted and how they apply to hospitals with a dedicated emergency department (ED). In addition, learners will have an opportunity to review cases where EMTALA violations were alleged and judgments applied by the courts.
The goal of this course is to educate nurses, physicians, and physician assistants in acute care settings about EMTALA.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) was enacted to prevent patient dumping by hospitals seeking to avoid unrecoverable costs of care for patients without insurance or the ability to pay for medical services. Language within the statute has led to inconsistencies in how it has been interpreted. Patient dumping and inappropriate medical screening examinations (MSEs) are the most common reasons for EMTALA violations (Ladd & Gupta, 2021). This course will describe how key terms are currently interpreted and how they apply to hospitals with a dedicated emergency department (ED). In addition, learners will have an opportunity to review cases where EMTALA violations were alleged and judgments applied by the courts. The goal of this course is to educate nurses, physicians, and physician assistants in acute care settings about EMTALA.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Kentucky Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Florida Board of Medicine (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
State Medical Board of Ohio (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290)>
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™
Florida Physician Assistants (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: EMTALA Obligations
Meet Adela Flores
Patient Dumping
COBRA and EMTALA
Obligations Under EMTALA
Penalties for EMTALA Violation
Review
Summary
Section 3: Key Terms Within EMTALA
Medical Screening Examination (MSE)
Emergency Medical Condition (EMC)
Stabilize
Transfer
Case Study
Comes to the Emergency Department
Dedicated Emergency Department
Capability and Capacity
A Case Where an On-Call List Was Not Clear
On-Call Coverage Responsibilities
When Obligations Under EMTALA End
Review
Summary
Section 4: Special Conditions and EMTALA
Psychiatric Patient Case Example
Patients with Psychiatric Problems
Patients Involved with Law Enforcement
Patients Presenting to the ED for Non-Emergency Purposes
Outpatients, Inpatients, and Observation Status
EMTALA and ED Surges
EMTALA and COVID-19
Review
Summary
Section 5: EMTALA Cases and Verdicts
Madison Lang
Was EMTALA Violated?
Verdict
Charles Dobson
Was EMTALA Violated?
Verdict
Unintended Consequences
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributor(s)
Resources
References
Instructor: Cathryn Ayers, RNRebecca Smallwood, MBA, RN, has experience across multiple healthcare settings including: rural and urban acute care hospitals, public health, ambulatory surgery, higher education, and commercial healthcare learning organizations. Her roles have included: medical/surgical, ED, and OR Staff and Charge Nurse; Director of School Health Services/School Nurse; Public Health Epidemiology and Bioterrorism Preparedness Specialist; Infection Control Practitioner; Quality Management Specialist; Organizational Development Specialist and Educator. Prior to joining Relias as an acute care SME Writer in 2017 and Curriculum Designer in 2021, she provided consultation to Swank Healthcare and was the Director of Education Services for Health.edu, a division of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Rebecca earned a diploma in nursing from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Lubbock, Texas in 1989 and an MBA from Wayland Baptist University in 2010 with an emphasis in healthcare administration.
Disclosure: Rebecca Smallwood, MBA, RN has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.
Cathryn Ayers, RN, MSN has nearly 10 years of critical care experience. She was active in multiple committees to improve patient safety, executed staff education activities, and managed the new graduate orientation program for those entering intensive care units. Cathryn obtained a license for massage and bodywork therapy in 2012 and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2016 with a Master of Science in Nursing Education. She has provided telephonic case management services and developed program materials to facilitate positive outcomes for people with rare conditions across the United States. Cathryn has a passion for teaching and helping others to be their best. Disclosure: Cathryn Ayers, RN has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.
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