11-13-2012
University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC), IL, agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that UCMC failed to provide appropriate medical screening and stabilizing treatment within its capabilities to a male patient who presented to their emergency department complaining of severe jaw pain as a result of a physical assault. The results of a CT scan taken by UCMC revealed injuries that needed corrective surgery. UCMC did not provide further treatment and discharged the patient with instructions to go to another hospital for further care.
10-19-2012
Hackley Hospital (Hackley), Michigan, agreed to pay $90,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Hackley failed to provide stabilizing treatment within its capabilities to a woman in labor and her unborn child prior to transferring her to another hospital for treatment.
10-09-2012
Southcoast Hospital Group (Southcoast), Massachusetts, agreed to pay $45,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Southcoast failed to provide stabilizing treatment prior to transferring a patient that presented to its emergency department experiencing labored breathing.
09-05-2012
Duke University Health System d/b/a Duke University Hospital (Duke), North Carolina, agreed to pay $180,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Duke failed to accept five appropriate transfers of individuals with unstable psychiatric emergency medical conditions.
06-15-2012
Hendricks Community Hospital (Hendricks), Minnesota, agreed to pay $20,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Hendricks failed to provide a medical screening examination and stabilization treatment to a patient that presented to its emergency department. The patient previously had surgery at another hospital and was in serious pain, could not urinate, and needed a catheter placement. An emergency department physician instructed hospital staff to tell the patient he would need to seek treatment at the hospital where his surgery was performed. Hendricks provided no screening or treatment for the patient, even though the patient’s pain level was such that it was difficult for him to ambulate.
05-31-2012
Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH), Texas, agreed to pay $20,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that TCMH failed to provide an adequate medical screening examination for a minor. Specifically, the minor presented to TCMH’s emergency department (ED) and was accompanied by a family member. TCMH’s registration clerk informed the family member that the minor should be treated by her family physician rather than be admitted to TCMH’s ED. The minor left TCMH without receiving a medical screen.
03-07-2012
Northside Hospital (Northside), Florida, agreed to pay $38,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Northside failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment to a patient with a history of mitral valve replacement. Specifically, the patient presented to Northside’s emergency department (ED) by ambulance with flu symptoms and a high fever. A triage nurse instructed the patient to go home and to follow his primary care physician’s orders. Two days later the patient presented again to Northside’s ED and was admitted to their intensive care unit. On August 8, 2009, the patient died due to influenza A (H1N1).
02-10-2012
Fort Lauderdale Hospital, Inc. (FLH), Florida, agreed to pay $45,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that FLH failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment to an autistic patient that presented to FLH’s emergency department after physically attacking his mother. A clinical psychologist asked for the patient’s insurance information. FLH did not accept the patient’s insurance and the patient’s mother was instructed to take the patient to another facility. The patient was seen at another facility and admitted for six days due to a diagnosis of depression.