http://www.medlaw.com/healthlaw/EMTALA/guidelines/emtala-site-review-guidelines-2008---tag-a-2402-c2.shtml
EMTALA Site Review Guidelines 2008 - Tag A 2402 / C2402
EMTALA Signs -- Wording and location
Tag A-2402/C-2402
§489.20(q)
In the case of a hospital as defined in §489.24 (b)—
(1) To post conspicuously in any emergency department or in a place or places likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the emergency department, as well as those individuals waiting for examination and treatment in areas other than traditional emergency department (that is, entrance, admitting area, waiting room, treatment area) a sign (in a form specified by the Secretary) specifying the rights of individuals under section 1867 of the Act with respect to examination and treatment of emergency medical conditions and women in labor; and
(2) To post conspicuously (in a form specified by the Secretary) information indicating whether or not the hospital or rural primary care hospital (e.g., critical access hospital) participates in the Medicaid program under a State plan approved under Title XIX;
Interpretive Guidelines: §489.20(q)(1) and (2) Section 1 866(a)( 1 )(N)(iii) of the Act requires the posting of signs which specify the rights of individuals with EMCs and women in labor.
To comply with the requirements hospital signage must at a minimum:
● Specify the rights of individuals with EMCs and women in labor who come to the emergency department for health care services;
● Indicate whether the facility participates in the Medicaid program;
● The wording of the sign(s) must be clear and in simple terms and language(s) that are understandable by the population served by the hospital; and
● The sign(s) must be posted in a place or places likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the emergency department, as well as those individuals waiting for examination and treatment (e.g., entrance, admitting area, waiting room, treatment area).
