In a July 13 memo to state survey agency directors, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addressed the issue of hospitals preventing emergency medical service staff from transferring patients from their ambulance stretchers to a hospital bed or gurney. According to the memo, many of the hospital staff engaged in this practice believe that unless the hospital “takes responsibility” for the patient, it is not obligated to provide care or accommodate the patient.
The CMS memo reiterates that this practice may result in violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act as well as the Conditions of Participation for Hospitals for Emergency Services, which require hospitals to meet the emergency needs of patients in accordance with acceptable standards of practice.
While recognizing “the enormous strain and crowding many hospital emergency departments face every day,” says the memo, “this practice is not a solution. ‘Parking’ patients in hospitals impacts the ability of the emergency medical service personnel to provide emergency services to the rest of the community.”
