04-26-2013
Emory University Hospital (Emory), Georgia, agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Emory refused to accept appropriate transfer of a patient who required Emory’s specialized capabilities.
04-04-2013
Donalsonville Hospital, Inc. (Donalsonville), Georgia, agreed to pay $25,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Donalsonville failed to provide an adequate medical screening examination to a patient who presented to their emergency department complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain. The patient did not receive any medical examination from a physician and was told he was required to pay a minimum fee of $100 to continue further treatment. The patient chose not to pay the fee and was discharged without receiving an appropriate medical screening examination. The delay in the provision of an appropriate medical screening examination and the imposition of a minimum fee to receive an appropriate medical screening examination were inappropriate.
02-22-2013
Sacred Heart Hospital (SHH), IL, agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that SHH failed to provide a medical screening examination for a 63-year old woman who presented to the emergency department and was not breathing. SHH provided no screening and called the Chicago Fire Department who transferred her to another hospital where she was pronounced dead.
01-28-2013
Holmes Regional Medical Center (HRMC), FL, agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that HRMC failed to provide a medical screening examination and to adequately stabilize a 30-year old pregnant woman who presented to their emergency department experiencing chest pains, in potential cardiac arrest, and became unresponsive. Both the patient and her baby died.