r/Paramedics • u/Dowcastle-medic Paramedic • Jun 25 '25
US EMTALA and bypassing a hospital
So I had a pt today totally stable but she has an injury I know the local type 4 community hospital (20min) is not going to be able to fix. It was suggested by the clinic staff where I picked her up to go to the type 3, 1.5 hours away. But one of the ER drs for the community hospital happened to be there and looked at the injury and said no just take her to our hospital.
She said the type 3 couldn’t deal with that either and she would need to go to One 3.5 hours away so go and get her c spine cleared…
So we did and then I get chewed out by the ER drs on call saying I can NEVER bypass them based on EMTALA. I always have to stop and let them stabilize the pt and cat scan and such…
That’s not true is it?
15
u/Squirelm0 Jun 25 '25
EMTALA has very little to do with ambulances. It only regulates hospital units. And at that, they cannot bypass an appropriate facility to go to their home facility. Dr's at a clinic/facility, regardless of who they are affiliated with, have no say in where you transport a patient based on need and YOUR assessment. If that's the case they can use an IFT unit and do as they see fit when the companies scheduling allows.
EMTALA only applies to hospitals once a patient is on their campus grounds. They must be given a medical screening and stabilization if needed regardless of insurance. Then they can be transferred to another facility.