Title: Refusal of Emergency Care and Patient Dumping | Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association
Headings: Refusal of Emergency Care and Patient Dumping
Refusal of Emergency Care and Patient Dumping
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Content: Baptist Hospital, Inc., in Florida, agreed to pay $22,500 to settle allegations that it failed to perform a medical screening on a suicidal man. After informing the registrar that his suicidal thoughts were growing stronger, the patient was informed that he would have to continue to wait—he then proceeded outside and lacerated his right arm [18]. Cumberland County Hospital System, Inc., in North Carolina, agreed to pay $42,500 to settle claims that it unsuccessfully provided appropriate medical screening or stabilized a suicidal 13-year-old girl. The physician saw the patient for 5 minutes before releasing her. Fifty minutes later, the patient jumped out of a car traveling approximately 40 miles per hour and fractured her skull [18]. Recent cases in Los Angeles demonstrate that the threat of large fines might deter the practice of patient dumping under state law. The Los Angeles City attorney secured a settlement with Methodist Hospital amid allegations of patient dumping that required the hospital to implement detailed protocols for the discharge of homeless patients. The hospital will also contribute $215,000 to fund recuperative care beds for homeless individuals at the Salvation Army's Bell Shelter and pay $5,000 in civil penalties and $20,000 in investigative costs [19]. Kaiser Hospital reached a similar agreement in May 2007, resulting in court-ordered protocols for the proper discharge of homeless patients, as well as $500,000 in donations to a charitable foundation that offers services to the homeless and $5,000 in civil penalties [19]. In response to recent incidents in California, Los Angeles passed a city ordinance that prohibits transporting or arranging for the transport of patients to somewhere other than their home without their written consent [20].