EMTALA

Outline:

Section 1: Introduction

About This Course 

Learning Objectives

Section 2: What is EMTALA and What is its Intent?

Meet Adela Flores

Patient Dumping

COBRA and EMTALA

Obligations under EMTALA

Penalties for EMTALA Violation

Review

Summary

Section 3: Key Terms within EMTALA Appropriate Medical Screening Examination

Emergency Medical Condition

Stabilize

Transfer

Comes to the Emergency Department

A Case where “Comes to the ED” was in Question

Dedicated Emergency Department

Capability and Capacity

On-Call Coverage Responsibilities

A Case Where an On-Call List Was Not Clear

When Obligations Under EMTALA End

Review

Summary

Section 4: Special Conditions and EMTALA Psychiatric Patients

EMTALA and a Psychiatric Patient: Case Example

Intoxicated Patients

Patients Presenting to the ED for Non-Emergency Purposes

Outpatients, Inpatients, and Observation Status

EMTALA and ED Surges in Demand

Review

Summary

Section 5: EMTALA Cases and Verdicts Ms. M v. Hospital

Was EMTALA Violated?

Ms. M v. Hospital: Verdict

Mr. L. v. Hospital

Was EMTALA Violated?

Mr. L v. Hospital: Verdict

Summary

Section 6: Conclusion Summary

Course Contributors

References

Congratulations!

Exam

Rebecca Smallwood, MBA, RN, has extensive experience across a wide spectrum of 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 a SME writer, she provided healthcare learning and development 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 and an MBA from Wayland Baptist University.  Disclosure: Rebecca Smallwood, MBA, RN has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.

Ann Dietrich, MD, FAAP, FACEP, is a pediatric emergency medicine doctor in Columbus, Ohio and is affiliated with Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University Hospital. She received her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She is also an associate professor at the Ohio University Heritage College of Medicine.

Disclosure: Ann Dietrich, MD, FAAP, FACEP has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.