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. The RN who triaged Tracy has a disability, she is deaf in one ear, but she has not disclosed her disability to NSA Memorial.

Part 1: What are the next steps NSA Memorial Hospital must take to comply with EMTALA?

Part 2: What happens if they determine Tracey has an Emergency Medical Condition?

Part 3: Is NSA required to provide the RN who triage Tracy an accommodation for her disability?

Answer 1

EMTALA is Emergency Medical Treatment and Labour Act.According to this law any person who is coming with medical emergency must be treated by the hospitals irrespective of their paying ability.

1.So according to this law NSA Hospital must start assessing Tracey to find out whether she is suffering with any emergency condition where treatment is required.

2. If they determine Tracey has a medical condition ,according to EMTALA Hospital must start providing treatment or if the patient is willing to move to another hospital transfer can be done on patient request.Otherwise treatment to the patient is to be given.

3. There is no need to provide separate accommodation for RN,but it is necessary to help the patients to identify her disability which does not raise any issues.