Filter by
Target Audience
Courses
Filter by
Results
EMTALA Requirements
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) was enacted to prevent patient dumping by hospitals seeking to avoid unrecoverable costs of care for patients without insurance or the ability to pay for medical services. Language within the statute has led to inconsistencies in how it has been interpreted. Patient dumping and inappropriate medical screening examinations (MSEs) are the most common reasons for EMTALA violations (Ladd & Gupta, 2021). This course will describe how key terms are currently interpreted and how they apply to hospitals with a dedicated emergency department (ED). In addition, learners will have an opportunity to review cases where EMTALA violations were alleged and judgments applied by the courts.
Define key terms and requirements associated with EMTALA.
Describe how EMTALA applies to certain situations.
Emergency Management of Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is the single most common ED complaint (up to 10% of visits) and is in the top four for emergency medicine litigation. Emergency providers must be proficient in diagnosing abdominal pain to provide excellent care to patients and reduce their risk of being named in litigation. This course will address abdominal pain diagnosis and treatment in the ED for the elderly, adults, children, and young women (of childbearing potential).
State the evaluation of abdominal pain in the elderly.
Recognize the approach to abdominal pain in the post-bariatric surgery patient.
Discuss the presentation of testicular torsion.
Describe the scoring systems for appendicitis in adults and children.
Assess the non-abdominal causes of abdominal pain.