North Carolina Hospital Settles Case Involving Patient Dumping Allegation

On June 26, 2019, Transylvania Regional Hospital (TRH), MH Transylvania Regional Hospital, LLLP, and Transylvania Community Hospital, Inc., Brevard, North Carolina, entered into a $25,000 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that, based on OIG's investigation, TRH violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) when it failed to provide an adequate medical screening examination and stabilizing treatment for a patient. The patient presented to TRH's Emergency Department (ED) complaining of abdominal pain and pain radiating bilaterally to his lower extremities. In addition, the patient had an elevated blood pressure and respiratory rate. Despite this presentment, TRH discharged the patient without providing an adequate medical screening examination or stabilizing treatment. The patient returned to TRH's ED later the same day via ambulance, complaining of paralysis of the lower extremities, leg pain, and leg swelling. TRH ultimately transferred the patient to another hospital. Under EMTALA, the maximum penalty for hospitals with fewer than 100 beds at time of this alleged violation was $25,000. Senior Counsel Geeta Taylor represented OIG.

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