Compliance Corner
‘EMTALA’ the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

EMTALA is an acronym for “Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.” EMTALA is also known as the “anti-dumping statute.” Congress created EMTALA amid concerns that patients were being turned away from emergency rooms or discouraged from seeking medical treatment, because of financial issues. All emergency departments are required to provide a medical screening exam to every patient presenting in the ER. If the medical screening exam reveals an emergency condition, the hospital must treat and stabilize the person or provide a transfer to an appropriate facility.

“Coming to the emergency room” is defined very broadly under EMTALA. In fact, any patient on hospital property, not just in the ER and including patients in ambulances owned and operated by the hospital, have “come to the ER” according to various interpretations of EMTALA. Thus, patients presenting in areas other than the ER must be seen and given a medical screening examination.

Questions about EMTALA? Contact your Compliance Officer. 

News Briefs | Photo Album | Calendar | Announcements | Notables