Title: Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act - Wikipedia
Headings: Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act
Contents
Mandated and non-mandated care
Non-covered medical conditions
Hospital obligations
Amendments
Effects
Improved health services for uninsured
Cost pressures on hospitals
See also
Notes and references
External links

Content: These amendments include the following: A patient is defined as "stable," therefore ending a hospital's EMTALA obligations, if: The patient is conscious, alert, and oriented. The cause of all symptoms reported by the patient or representative, and all potentially life-threatening, limb-threatening, or organ-threatening symptoms discovered by hospital staff, has been ascertained to the best of the hospital's ability. Any conditions that are immediately life-threatening, limb-threatening, or organ-threatening have been treated to the best of the hospital's ability to ensure the patient does not need further inpatient care. The patient is able to care for himself or herself, with or without special equipment, which if needed, must be provided. The required abilities are: Breathing
Feeding
Mobility
Dressing
Personal hygiene
Toileting
Medicating
Communication
Another competent person is available and able to meet the patient's needs following discharge. All patients have EMTALA rights equally, regardless of age, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, residence, citizenship, or legal status. If patient's status is found to be illegal, hospitals may not discharge a patient prior to completion of care, but law enforcement and hospital security may take necessary actions to prevent a patient from escaping or harming others.