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Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) Series (IHA 5.31.23_Program #401523)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
10:00 am12:00 pm
Virtual

Dates: Wednesday, May 31, June 7 and June 14
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT

Speaker:
Nancy Ruzicka

Course Curriculum
Medicare-certified hospitals must follow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ regulations and interpretative guidelines for the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. This three-part series will focus on problematic areas of EMTALA concepts, adequacy of medical screening and on-call physician issues.

Wednesday, May 31
Part One focuses on the basic requirements of EMTALA and available resources to hospitals. The presentation will discuss EMTALA definitions and requirements.
Learning objectives:
• Describe basic EMTALA requirements. • Describe why EMTALA is the most-frequently cited deficiency nationwide. • Discuss where EMTALA applies in the facility. • Review examples to keep current on regulation changes.

Wednesday, June 7
Part Two will discuss EMTALA issues including adequacy of medical screening examinations, certification of false labor, observation, inpatient services, outpatient services, EMTALA sign issues and appropriate transfers.
Learning objectives:
• Describe what constitutes an adequate medical screening examination for behavioral health, obstetrics and other patients. • Describe what constitutes an appropriate certification of false labor. • Review an appropriate transfer including information needed on the transfer form. • Review what language must be on required EMTALA signs.

Wednesday, June 14
Part Three will focus on physician involvement with the EMTALA process including on-call physician schedules, on-call physician rules, when an on-call physician must appear in the emergency department and dealing with difficult patient situations including leaving against medical advice or without being seen.
Learning objectives:
• Describe on-call physician rules, including when the on-call physician must appear in the emergency department. • Describe the Office of Inspector General’s role, recent deficiencies and fines with on-call physicians. • Describe the organizational quality-improvement program role with EMTALA. • Examine documentation requirements for difficult patient situations.

Intended Audience:
• Behavioral health and psychiatric staff • CEOs • Chief medical officers • Chief nursing officers • Compliance officers and legal counsel • Department directors • Emergency department staff • Nurses • Physicians • Quality improvement staff • Risk managers • Safety officers

Speaker Bio:
Nancy Ruzicka is a consultant on state and federal rules, regulations and interpretative guidelines. Ruzicka previously worked as director of integrity and compliance and privacy official at MercyOne Des Moines and director of regulatory compliance at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines. She also has more than 20 years of experience with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Ruzicka holds master’s degrees in health law and business administration and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Drake University. She is certified in health care compliance and maintains her Iowa pharmacy license.

Cost: $425 to NHA members (per hospital, no charge for additional lines, recordings available up to 60 days after the webinar)