Clarification of Title 25 patient process

 

November 2, 2017



The Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital administration, Medical Staff and Board of Directors are dedicated to caring for all residents of Hot Springs County and the surrounding area regardless of their diagnosis. There has been a misunderstanding surrounding our position of caring for Title 25 patients, which are patients who have been placed on a mandatory hold due to the fear they may pose a danger to themselves or others.

We have always and will always continue to admit any patient to our Emergency Department for a medical screening exam. This includes Title 25 patients. It seems the confusion centers around where the patient receives their care after the medical screening has been provided. We are a rural Critical Access Hospital. As such, we frequently assess and triage patients and then determine the most appropriate facility for continuing care of the patient. Sometimes it is not HSCMH, but rather a larger hospital or a specialty care facility. We are not equipped nor have the staff to care for heart attack, burn or serious trauma patients. As soon as they are medically stable we arrange for their transfer to a higher level of care.

We believe patients who pose a risk to themselves or others also deserve this same attention and care; to be transferred as soon as possible to a facility equipped and staffed with physicians and nurses trained to care for these patients. We also believe that our Medical Staff and local mental health providers are in the best position to determine if and where this care should be provided.

If a patient is required to stay until they are medically stable before being transferred, we are asking for assistance from law enforcement, to provide one-on-one monitoring to assure the patient’s safety. We apologize for the confusion surrounding this issue. We continue and want to be the first stop for any acute medical or psychological condition in Hot Springs County. We hope to come to a mutually agreed upon solution with the County Commissioners, County Attorney, Town of Thermopolis leaders, Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Department and the Thermopolis Police Department which will assure all patients are receiving the highest level of care within the shortest time frame.

Hot Springs County Memorial

Hospital District Board of Directors

Jason Weyer, DO, FAAFP, Chief of Staff

Margie Molitor, CEO, Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital

 

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