Kentucky Hospital Settles Case Involving a Patient Dumping Allegation

On September 21, 2016, T.J. Samson Community Hospital (T.J. Samson), in Glasgow, Kentucky, entered into a $35,000 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that T.J. Samson violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) when it failed to accept an appropriate transfer of a 29-year old woman in need of specialized capabilities available at T.J. Sampson. OIG's investigation revealed that the patient presented to a small hospital's Emergency Department with complaints of abdominal pain and right side back pain. She was diagnosed with appendicitis and in need of emergency surgery, which was unavailable at the hospital. That hospital contacted T.J. Samson to arrange for a transfer of the patient. The on-call surgeon at T.J. Samson inquired about the patient's insurance. When the on-call surgeon was told that the patient did not have insurance, he refused to accept the transfer. Senior Counsel Sandra Sands represented OIG.

Share