“Discovery” New Team Member Self Learning Packet 2013 Self Learning Packet Objectives This self learning packet will discuss AtlantiCare’s: Strategy Map Quality Improvement Process Essential Work Requirements (EWRs) Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: • Describe AtlantiCare’s Mission, Vision, Strategy, and Key Services. • Demonstrate AtlantiCare’s Values and Customer Service Standards. • Give examples of AtlantiCare’s 5 Strategic Objectives (The 5 Bs). • Understand and use AtlantiCare’s Quality Improvement Process. • Understand your responsibility in keeping your EWRs current. • Understand AtlantiCare’s commitment to the safety and well-being of our employees and customers through specific policies and procedures to ensure the safest possible environment. • Take the post-assessment for this course. ·Employee Engagement ·Customer Experience Index KEEPING ATLANTICARE FIRST ·Operating Margin ·Patients Cared for by Our Physician Network ·Re-admission Rate What does the Strategy Map tell us? Starting at the bottom of the map, our mission is to deliver health and healing to all people through trusting relationships. This is done by living our values of safety, teamwork, integrity, respect and service (STIRS). By assuring all members of the AtlantiCare family act on our values, we are able to focus on the performance excellence commitments of our “5 Bs”. These include Best People and Workplace, Best Customer Service, Best Quality, Best Growth, and Best Financial Performance. Our attention to these details will move us closer to our vision of building healthy communities. Consider how your work will contribute to these commitments. AtlantiCare’s Values Our Values AtlantiCare has a set of values that guide our actions and behaviors. Safety Safety is our top priority. Teamwork We work together to achieve our goals. Integrity Our behaviors consistently reflect the highest ethical standards. Respect We treat each individual with dignity and compassion. Service We create loyalty by delighting those we serve. Corporate Organization AtlantiCare AIT – AtlantiCare Information Technology AtlantiCare Regional Health Services AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center AtlantiCare Behavioral Health AtlantiCare Health Services AtlantiCare Home Care South Jersey Oncology Property LLC AMI/Atlanti Care Imaging Health Care Delivery AtlantiCare Physician Group AtlantiCare Heath Solutions AtlantiCare Foundation AtlantiCare Health Engagement AtlantiCare Surgery Center LLC AtlantiCare Cape May Surgery Center Health Information Health Engagement Rev 09.12 AtlantiCare Overview As the region’s largest healthcare organization and largest non-casino employer, AtlantiCare’s 5,000 employees serve the community at over 65 locations. AtlantiCare and its business units are governed by boards comprised of 70 volunteer community leaders. AtlantiCare is not-for-profit, focusing on health and wellness in the community. Quality Measures and Organizational Commitments How we benchmark and assess ourselves against outside measurements Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (2009 recipient) Magnet Status Medicaid / Medicare (#7 in the nation) AtlantiCare’s Deployment Model for New Processes Plan Establish a sense of urgency Identify timeline and measures Create & communicate the vision Design Identify best in class processes Involve stakeholders Validate process design w/ impacted areas Communicate change Measure Collect and display data in a useful format Create linkages to other existing processes Recognize and reward early adopters Assess Performance Analyze results Prioritize opportunities Improve Use the PDCA Model for improvement Quality Improvement Process In line with our Strategic Objective of Best Quality, AtlantiCare constantly strives to improve how we do what we do. We regularly look for ways to save money, reduce waste, increase our customer service, and improve clinical outcomes etc. We consistently evaluate our performance measurement system for opportunities to improve while remaining flexible to change. The PDCA Cycle We understand that improvement does not happen by accident. That is why we use the PDCA cycle as part of our Quality Improvement Process. The PDCA Cycle emphasizes and demonstrates that improvement must begin with careful planning, followed by specific action and coordinated follow-up. AtlantiCare’s Deployment Model For Existing Processes Plan Create a work team Identify improvement needed Produce possible solutions Do Educate Small tests of change Pilot Communicate Check Re-measure & analyze results Identify barriers to success Discuss with stakeholders Act Solve for barriers Hardwire improvements Share best practices Exceeding Customer Expectations Excellent customer service is the ability of an organization to constantly and consistently exceed customer’s expectations Internal & External Customers Customers may be called Patient – medical services Client – behavioral health services Member – LifeCenter services Parents or children – AtlantiCare Kids Providers (Physicians, Clinicians etc.) Co-worker – in our department and across the system Internal & External Customers All customers have the same expectations for service excellence Professionalism Responsiveness Courtesy Respect Kindness Compassion Customer Loyalty … …is driven by the customer’s experience with PEOPLE, PRODUCTS and PROCESSES. … is greatly impacted by how PEOPLE facilitate the PROCESSES to deliver PRODUCTS to the customer. … is built when PEOPLE make emotional connections while facilitating the PROCESSES to deliver PRODUCTS to the customer. Key Differences Satisfied Customers Referrals Perception Loyal Customers may refer other willingly refer other customers customers to our competitors. to AtlantiCare. view AtlantiCare view AtlantiCare as a partner. as a commodity. Customer Experience Standards Determine how we deliver our service Guide the way we should act when we are providing service Support our mission, vision, values and the Five Bs of our Performance Excellence Commitments Should be incorporated into all we do I will say “please and thank you” in all customer / co-worker interactions. Greetings and closing set the stage for first and last impressions Customers like to feel appreciated. This standard relates to our value of Respect. I will say “is there anything else I can assist you with today” at the end of customer/coworker conversations. We must be committed to listening attentively to our customers to fully understand their needs. This standard supports our organizational values of Teamwork, Respect and Service. I will always identify myself, my department and say “may I help you” when answering the phone. Our communication, whether in face-to-face or over the phone needs to be delivered with courtesy, clarity and care. This standard reflects to our values of Respect and Service. I will always wear my name badge in a visible location. Our appearance represents AtlantiCare. Customers what to know who we are, what our role is and they can trust us as AtlantiCare employees. This standard supports our organizational values of Safety, Teamwork, Respect and Service. I will always make eye contact, smile and address others who are near me. Greeting people; customers and coworkers alike, will help make them feel welcome and important. This standard reflects to our values of Teamwork, Respect and Service. First Impression You only get ONE chance to make a first impression. 3 Vs of Perception Visual- 55% This is what people or customers view about you or your business: clothes, neatness, hair, posture, calm and organized Vocal- 38% This is the tone of your voice, pitch of voice, volume, rate, pauses, emphasis and emotion. Verbal- 7% What we say, words we use and choose, phrasing and language. Body Language is Very Important More than 90% of all communication includes nonverbal behaviors (voice or body language). Individuals pay close attention to evaluating nonverbal communication. Verbal and Nonverbal communication must match The way we carry ourselves can greatly impact the first impression that a customer has of us. AIDET Reduces Patient Anxiety AtlantiCare encourages our employees to consider the role anxiety plays in patient care and customer service. AIDET is a tool we use to minimize patient or customer anxiety regarding a service they are about to receive, whether it is an invasive medical procedure or a more simple, non-invasive test. AIDET Process Acknowledge the customer using their name, and ask what else you can do for them. Introduce yourself and explain your role and expertise. If other departments or staff are involved, “talk up” their expertise. Duration – explain how long the wait will be, as well as the duration of the procedure itself and turn-around time for results. Explain the process thoroughly and ask what questions they have about it. Leave your phone number for them. Thank the customer and their family for choosing AtlantiCare, for their support of the care we provided, and for their cooperation and communication. Key Words at Key Times Key Words at Key Times are the variables we plug into the AIDET formula to make our words both efficient and impactful. By taking advantage of everyday opportunities to communicate with intent, we maximize our potential for improving clinical outcomes while generating customer loyalty. • • • Help patients, families and visitors “connect the dots” Align our words with our actions to give a consistent experience and message. Use everyday opportunities to maximize our potential for improving clinical outcomes while generating customer loyalty. Key Words at Key Times • • • • “I am committed to helping you keep your pain under control. How is your pain today?” “I’m closing the curtain for your privacy.” “For your safety, it is important that I verify your name and birth date and review your arm band before beginning this procedure.” “I want to make sure you are very satisfied with the cleanliness of your room. Have I missed anything?” Managing Up Co-workers and Departments Speaking positively about coworkers, reduces patients’ anxiety about their next provider of care and puts them more at ease with the coordination of their care because it suggests strong teamwork among providers. “Hello Mrs. Woldow. I will be your physician today. I see that Mary is your nurse. We will be working together to make sure that we deliver excellent care. I have worked with her for almost 10 years. Mary and I will take excellent care of you during your stay with us at ARMC” Managing Up Co-workers and Departments Managing up also gives your co-workers a head start in winning the confidence and trust of the patient. If the patient trusts you, they will value your opinions regarding other providers. Here are some examples of managing up a coworker or department at the hospital. “Hello Mrs. Woldow. I have ordered a CT today. Our radiology department has state of the art technology and highly skilled staff . They are aware you are coming to their department and will take good care of you during your procedure.” When we make a mistake… Service Recovery Steps Listen to their concern without interrupting them. Ask questions for clarification and to assure you understand their situation. Recognize & Respond by rephrasing what is concerning them about the service they received. Apologize no matter who is at fault, and never place blame. Ask what we can do to make the situation right Correct the Failure - Brainstorm ideas with them, and select one that is appropriate and reach agreement Appreciate the customer by telling them that their honesty in bringing the issue forward gave us the opportunity to fix a failure We measure to be sure our behaviors match our goals Surveys: Customer Satisfaction Surveys across the system Focus groups Community surveys What We Know…… The HCAHPS survey is how CMS measures the Quality around a patient’s experience The Survey is based on a ‘Frequency’ scale; Always, Usually, Sometimes and Never Only ‘Always’ answers score points; we do not receive credit for any other answers Survey results are used to calculate a portion of our reimbursement from CMS. HCAHPS Measurements 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Communication with Nurses Communication with Doctors Responsiveness of Hospital Staff Pain Management Communication About Medications Discharge Information Hospital Environment (cleanliness and quietness) Overall Rating of Hospital Corporate and Privacy Compliance Management of Information Corporate and Privacy Compliance Provides AtlantiCare with system –wide services with authority to act with respect to all entities, subsidiaries and cost centers. Responsibilities require unlimited and unrestricted access to all data during audit and investigation. Continuous assessments of the effectiveness of AtlantiCare’s compliance and internal control environment. Corporate Compliance – independent support function of AtlantiCare reporting directly to the Board and administratively to Corporate Counsel. Privacy Compliance – AtlantiCare HIPAA compliance reporting directly to Corporate Counsel. Prevalent Laws and Regulations Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005.* Mandates that employees and agents be educated about the: NJ Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) Federal False Claims Act Federal Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 NJ Medical Assistance and Health Services Act State false claims legislation NJ Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) Whistleblower Act Prohibits an employer from taking any retaliatory action against an employee because the employee discloses an activity that the employee reasonably believes is in violation of a law or regulation or constitutes improper quality of patient care. * Policy distributed HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Establishes standards for the transmission and usage of health care information. Laws and Regulations Administrative Simplification • administrative & financial data • electronic formats, code sets and identifiers Privacy Security Corporate Compliance and HIPAA Governance Mandated by federal, state and local agencies. OIG / OCR / IRS CMS / EEOC / FDA NJDOH / JCAHO Penalties for non-compliance are significant. Civil and criminal penalties for the organization and possibly individuals inside the organization, resulting in fines, possible termination, and prison time. Possible exclusion from Medicaid and Medicare programs. Mandatory Compliance Obey all laws and regulations governing business conduct. Be honest, fair, and trustworthy in all activities and relationships. Avoid all conflicts between business and personal affairs. Strive to be a role model for ethical conduct. Strive to create a safe workplace Do not use AtlantiCare property/systems for personal use. Protect the intellectual property of AtlantiCare and its vendors. Audits are routine and ongoing, no expectation of privacy . Conflicts of Interest Not participate in any activity that conflicts or appears to conflict with your responsibilities to AtlantiCare. A conflict of interest occurs if the activities or personal interests appear to or directly influence the business or professional decisions required by the employee. For example, an employee (or a family member, relative) should not: • receive a financial benefit from any decision or action he/she takes; • have a financial interest in an organization that does business or is seeking to do business with AtlantiCare; • accept or solicit gifts or entertainment or receive special discounts for the purchase of items or services for personal use from any outside organization or individual; • make a decision that results in an improper or illegal gain for the employee or a third party or is harmful to the interests of AtlantiCare. Information is Protected Maintain confidentiality of all protected health information electronically paper verbally Properly dispose of confidential information (paper, disk/electronic). Access information on a minimum necessary /need to know level for job performance. System access – keep user names and passwords confidential. Security measures are in place protecting our network and information systems. Report suspicious email messages to InfoShare Customer Service Help Desk. Patient Care Ensure competency of staff. All licenses are kept current. Treat all patients equally in the provision of care. Ensure all patients receive appropriate care within the scope of AtlantiCare. NOT deny admission/testing for non-elective services based on ability to pay. Maintain complete and accurate records of care provided. Obtain informed, written consent prior to providing care. Properly dispose of medical waste and hazardous materials. Potential Violations of Corporate or HIPAA Compliance Refer to the Guidelines for Reporting Compliance /Privacy Complaints/Concerns Policy Compliance/Privacy Phone Line (609 - 407 -7788 or internally 4-7788) or online www.MyComplianceReport.com All are documented and investigated Corporate Compliance Director / Corporate Legal - all Corporate Compliance concerns Chief Privacy Officer / Corporate Legal – all HIPAA concerns Strict confidentiality protections are in place Your Responsibilities At AtlantiCare, everyone must comply Laws, regulatory and accreditation requirements AtlantiCare’s Policy and Procedures • Are on the Intranet for your review * • Leadership / Compliance / Management of Information Understanding your rights and responsibilities is the best way to safeguard our patients and customers, ourselves and our organization. Harassment Free Workplace Harassment Free Workplace In line with our Strategic Objective of Best People / Best Workplace, AtlantiCare is a Harassment Free Workplace. As an organization, we prohibit harassment based on any of the following: • • • • • • • • • • Race Creed Color National origin Age Ancestry Gender Citizenship status Sexual orientation Handicap or disability We also prohibit sexual harassment which includes behavior such as unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and other lewd conduct such as lewd talk, inappropriate jokes or suggestive comments. If you witness harassment taking place, you can file a report with your supervisor, Human Resources or any other member of AtlantiCare’s Management team. Harassment Free Workplace What does Harassment mean? “To disturb, torment or pester on a persistent basis.” The most frequent types are verbal, physical, and visual. • It may be in the form of inappropriate verbal comments, the tossing of an object at an individual, inappropriate touching, inappropriate graphics or stereotyping behaviors. • Excuses such as "I don’t mean to offend when I call you baby, that’s just the way I am", are not a defense for offending behavior. Harassment Free Workplace What is Sexual Harassment? Sexual harassment includes behavior such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, such as name-calling, suggestive comments, or lewd talk and jokes. Harassment Free Workplace What is Sexual Harassment? There are two forms: Quid Pro Quo harassment ("This for That" harassment) • This form of sexual harassment involves one party using power over another to gain some sort of sexual advantage. (i.e. Promotional opportunities, increases, etc.) Environmental harassment (hostile work environment) • This form of sexual harassment conduct is based on gender and unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Safety is Our First Concern You are required to immediately report to Human Resources any information that reasonably indicates another health care professional has demonstrated: • Impairment • Gross incompetence, or • Unprofessional conduct Impairment is defined as…… The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness. Impairment includes… Under the influence of drugs or alcohol; Mental or emotional illness including dementia that precludes a person from safely performing the essential functions of their job; and Physical disability that precludes a person from safely performing the essential functions of their job Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse “Reasonable Suspicion” Employee appears to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol, (i.e. slurred speech, inability to walk a straight line, etc.) Any other objective factors which raise a reasonable suspicion of alcohol or drug use. Recurring or serious problems with job performance, attendance, or behavior where no other verifiable basis for such a problem exists. Help is Available Human Resources can assist those with disabilities by working our reasonable accommodations Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can assist those with mental, emotional and substance abuse through • Prevention • Intervention • Treatment You can reach AtlantiCare’s EAP by calling 1-800-260-0808 For More Information You may use AtlantiCare’s “Starfish”, to find the policies on: Signs of Impairment Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Harassment Free Workplace If you have any additional questions, please contact a representative from Human Resources. Chest Pain and Heart Attacks AtlantiCare's vision of building healthy communities applies equally to our employees as it does to our external customers. That is just one reason why we think it is important for each of us to understand the following information about chest pain and heart attacks. They can happen to patients, visitors, family members or co-workers at anytime or anywhere. People typically expect a heart attack to include crushing chest pain and sudden falls to the floor like commonly seen in movies or on television. In reality, heart attacks often begin with vague symptoms that slowly intensify with pain that may be mild and come and go. Women tend to delay longer than men when it comes to seeking help. Chest Pain and Heart Attacks (Symptoms) Shortness of breath which may or may not come with chest discomfort Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing of pain in the center of the chest that lasts a few minutes or goes away and comes back Breaking out into a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, the neck, the jaw or the stomach A general feeling of impending doom Chest Pain and Heart Attacks (continued) If you or anybody else experiences these symptoms you should do the following: If you are in the hospital, dial '0' for the operator and tell them that it may be a heart attack. Ask that Security help transport the person to the Emergency Department immediately! If you are at any place outside of the hospital call 911 and give the operator the relevant information needed to request an ambulance. It is important to know that any delay in treatment may result in permanent damage to the person's heart tissue. When in doubt call the emergency numbers immediately. Chest Pain and Heart Attacks: Special Concerns for Women Women or diabetic's signs and symptoms of a Heart Attack can be vague and non specific. They may not experience Chest pain at all. They may just experience weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath or epigastric problems such as nausea and abdominal pain. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) Women often delay in seeking treatment for a Heart Attack. More women than men die within the first year of having a Heart Attack. Women can be less aggressively treated medically than men following a heart attack Women may receive less follow up care than men. It is for these reasons that women need to be pay extra close attention to their health and how their bodies feel. Stroke Awareness: Act F-A-S-T! What is F-A-S-T? F-A-S-T is an acronym for recognizing and responding to the symptoms of stroke. It stands for face, arms, speech and time, and it is used as part of a campaign by the National Stroke Association to raise awareness about the impact of stroke on women. Additional warning symptoms have been added for general public knowledge and to prepare patients and families post discharge. Electrical Safety We also want to discuss the importance of electrical safety. Electrical hazards can be avoided. It is important that each of us is aware of potential hazards and take actions to prevent them from happening. Fires and shocks can occur when electrical cords or outlets are damaged. Damage to these can happen when pieces of equipment are unplugged improperly. The following three behaviors should be performed to help prevent these events from happening: ALWAYS unplug electrical equipment by pulling on the plug and not the cord. Inspect each piece of equipment on a regular basis for damage to the cord or plug. Do NOT use damaged equipment and immediately report it. 2013 Patient Safety Goals Clinical Education 2013 National Patient Safety Goals Improve the accuracy of patient identification Improve the effectiveness of communication Improve the safety of using high risk medications 2013 National Patient Safety Goals Reduce the risk of health care associated infections Accurately and completely reconcile medications across the continuum of care Improve the accuracy and safety of surgeries and procedures Identify patients at risk for suicide Environment of Care & JCAHO Policies Storage Doorways Ceiling Tiles Sink Storage The area under a sink is considered a soiled environment The following can NOT be stored under sinks: Anything wearable Anything ingestible Anything used for treatment Only cleaning supplies can be stored under sinks O2 Tank Storage Unsecured O2 bottles can fall over & start a fire Must be secured In a rack Behind a chain In a stretcher mounted tank holder Shelf Storage Nothing can be stored within 18 inches of the BOTTOM of sprinkler heads Hallway Storage The hallways cannot be used as storage areas Linen Carts Linen carts must be covered at all times when not in use Doorways Wedging a door open In the case of a fire allows smoke & fire to spread around the building, possibly trapping and causing harm to hospital staff, patients & visitors Prevents certain procedures from being effective Ceiling Tiles Wet ceiling tiles Are breeding grounds for mold Can fall and possible hit people If stained tiles are noticed, please contact Facilities to have them replaced Safety & Quality of Care – Reporting Concerns Any employee who has concerns about the safety or quality of care provided in the hospital may report these concerns to our Safety Officer, Debra Fox at 572-8310. Safety & Quality of Care – Reporting Concerns You may also contact the You may contact the New Jersey Department of Health Joint Commission: directly with complaints: Call 1-800-994-6610 Call 1-800-792-9770 Or by mail: NJ Department of Health PO Box 367 LL Trenton, NJ 08625 From 8:30 am to 5 pm Your Role in the Event of a Fire Safety is one of AtlantiCare’s organizational values. With this in mind, we all play a very important role when it comes to keeping our work environment safe. In the event of a fire, it would be helpful to remember the RACE acronym: Rescue people in immediate danger. Alarm (pull a fire alarm and follow other departmental procedures for reporting an emergency). Confine the fire by closing the appropriate doors. Extinguish the fire (if it is a small one) or Evacuate to a safe location. Using a Fire Extinguisher If it is possible for you to extinguish a fire, such as a small one in a garbage can, the PASS acronym should help you remember how to properly use a fire extinguisher. After taking the fire extinguisher out of it’s holder and setting it onto a flat surface, hold it by it’s neck and Pull the pin and break the tamper seal Aim the nozzle at the base of the burning object Squeeze the handles together releasing the extinguisher's chemicals Sweep the nozzle back and forth to coat the burning material. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety At AtlantiCare, we use the most cutting edge equipment to provide exceptional service to our customers. One tool in our arsenal is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Considering the fact that this piece of equipment is essentially a very large magnet, there are some very specific safety practices that must be adhered to while being around it. Some of the safety practices are as follows: • All patients must be properly screened before entering the MRI room • All metallic equipment, including hand tools, wheelchairs, gas tanks, etc should be checked with a hand magnet before entering the MRI room • Employees that work directly with the MRI machine should know the proper procedures to follow in the event of an emergency Safety Codes Code Red Code Blue Code White Fire Adult Medical Emergency Pediatric Medical Emergency Code Amber Code Yellow Code Grey Infant/Child Abduction Bomb Threat Security Emergency / Patient Elopement Code Silver Hostage Situation Code Orange Hazmat Situation Code Triage Disaster Situation Code Clear Code Ten Met Team Situation Has Cleared Community member injured on premise Rapid response to assess patient Recent AtlantiCare expansions Recent additions to AtlantiCare include: • Cape May Courthouse Surgery Center • Galloway and Somers Point Urgent Care Sites • Hammonton Health Park • Multiple physician practices in tri-county area • Primary Care and Cardiology campus in Manahawkin • Construction on Child & Adolescent Mental Health Center in EHT • Construction on Cape May Cancer Center AtlantiCare’s Organizational Commitment Equitable Health Care means that every person we care for, regardless of their race, culture, spoken language, or any other differences, receive an equally respectful and quality health care experience. Culture We encourage an atmosphere that allows each person to: have a sense of importance observe and experience our passion in providing quality care actively participate in strategies to enhance their health. Cross Cultural Services We recognize that the culture of our customer population is changing. We also understand that disparities in healthcare delivery exist between various races. In line with our value of Respect and our Strategic Objective of Best Community Health, AtlantiCare offers the following services to help meet the language and cultural needs of our customers: Telephonic Interpreter Services through the use of Language Line Phones The nurse and the patient can interact with each other by using this service. Contracted Interpreter Services A translator can be requested to be physically present to assist in the transfer of information. Customer Relations can assist with interpreters at no cost to patients. Translation Services Patient education materials and vital consent forms can be translated. We believe that ALL people should be treated with dignity and respect. Best Financial Performance Bringing together best in quality, customer service, workplace/people and community helps us enrich our profits in a not for profit organization. Our revenue is invested in the education of our employees, improvement in services and the expansion of locations within AtlantiCare. This commitment creates our financial success. Best Financial Performance AtlantiCare is a non-profit organization and has a triple “A” bond rating. Financially we are very strong and stable and because of this position, we were able to invest back into such projects as the new Cancer Center in Cape May County. Understanding EMTALA The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that was adopted in 1986 and was originally designed to stop hospitals from refusing to treat patients based on their ability to pay for services. This legislation deals with various requirements around transferring patients and discharge. Here are some of the important things to know about this law: EMTALA applies to ALL hospital employees The “Emergency Department has been expanded to included the entire hospital as well a 250 yard perimeter around the hospital, and in hospital owned ambulances Every patient is allowed to be screened by a physician to determine if there is an “emergency medical condition” or active labor Before a patient is transferred, they are entitled to stabilizing treatment Documentation must be completed in the RAAMPS format before transferring a patient RAAMPS Documentation RAAMPS Documentation The documentation that should go with a patient during a transfer is supposed to be in RAAMPS format. Reason for transfer Accompanying equipment Acknowledgement of acceptance of patient by staff member Method of transfer Personnel accompanying patient Summary of patient’s condition This is also known as the NJ Universal Transfer Form. Failure to comply with EMTALA can lead to several serious consequences for AtlantiCare including negative attention, increased legal scrutiny, fines and possibly loss of Medicare/Medicaid eligibility. Self Learning Packet Wrap up The information presented in this course and much more can be found in your Employee Pocket Guide as well as on the AtlantiCare Starfish. Please be sure you take the time to complete the post-test for this course and return it to your manager. Both pieces, viewing this course and completing the post-test, are required parts of the orientation process. Thank you!