EMTALA Requirements
Hours: 1.25
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.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
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.
Nurses will receive 1.25 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
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.
Relias LLC designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.2000 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.0000 contact hours for participating in this course.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Medicine
Florida Board of Medicine (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Ohio State Medical Board
State Medical Board of Ohio (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
New Mexico Medical Board
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Tennessee Board Of Medical Examiners
Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.25 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™
Florida Physician Assistants
Florida Physician Assistants (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Define key terms and requirements associated with EMTALA.
Describe how EMTALA applies to certain situations.
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
Staff Writer: Rebecca Smallwood, MBA, RN
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 declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
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 other to be their best. Disclosure: Cathryn Ayers, RN has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
The target audience for this course is: Entry level Physicians; Intermediate level Physician Assistants; Nurses; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
