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?

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u/Robot-Tom Jun 25 '25

Depends on the state. Ours is hospital based, but hospital and pre hospital are two very different things according to my state board.

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u/Topper-Harly Jun 25 '25

Depends on the state. Ours is hospital based, but hospital and pre hospital are two very different things according to my state board.

State-to-state differences would be governed by other regulations not EMTALA, as EMTALA is federal.

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u/Robot-Tom Jun 25 '25

My bad I don't get too caught up in EMTALA because I know it doesn't affect me.

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u/Topper-Harly Jun 25 '25

No worries! Like HIPAA it’s just a misunderstood law lol