Foundation and CMS co-host event detailing EMTALA

The DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) Foundation in association with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted the educational event “EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act): How to be Compliant” for more than 75 attendees yesterday in the main auditorium at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

Dodjie Guioa, a hospital program lead of the enforcement branch of the CMS, served as keynote speaker.

EMTALA is a federal law that requires hospital emergency departments to medically screen every patient who seeks emergency care and to stabilize or transfer those with medical emergencies, regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay.

On May 3, CMS issued guidance to state survey agencies addressing hospital co-location arrangements under the Medicare hospital Conditions of Participation. The draft guidance addresses use of shared space and contracted services. CMS has long stated that a hospital is expected to have defined and distinct spaces of operation and to maintain control over such spaces at all times. Given the inconsistent survey interpretation, hospitals have struggled to identify which spaces could be shared.

For information on the event, please contact Patti Taylor at ptaylor@dfwhcfoundation.org.

Dodjie Guioa