Baptist Medical Center South Agreed to Pay $290,000 for Allegedly Violating Patient Dumping Statute by Failing to Provide Appropriate Medical Screening Examinations and Stabilizing Treatment

On February 20, 2025, Baptist Medical Center South (Baptist), Montgomery, Alabama, entered into a $290,000 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Baptist violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Based on its investigation, OIG concluded that on three occasions Baptist failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination and/or stabilizing treatment.

The first patient presented to Baptist’s Emergency Department (ED) in October 2020, via ambulance after being found by law enforcement preparing to jump off a bridge. The patient denied suicidal ideations, stated he had stopped taking his medications and was depressed, and requested to talk to a psychiatrist. An ED physician examined the patient, noting his history of bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, and ordered a psychiatric consultation. ED staff performed a suicide risk assessment, categorized him as “high risk” and initiated suicide interventions, including 1:1 observation and a bedside attendant. The patient refused to change into blue scrubs and eloped from the ED despite being on 1:1 observation and without having received the ordered psychiatric consultation. ED staff did not witness the patient leave the ED.

The second patient presented to Baptist’s ED in May 2021, via ambulance after being found unresponsive in a parking lot. An ED physician diagnosed the patient with acute psychosis and ordered a psychiatric consultation. The patient had a history of bipolar disorder and had not taken his psychiatric medication. The patient was described as uncooperative, angry, having poor eye contact, and a flat effect. Prior to receiving a psychiatric examination, the patient left the ED Against Medical Advice (AMA), stating he no longer wanted to be seen, and refused to sign the required AMA form. ED staff did not inform the patient of the risks and consequences of leaving AMA nor take steps to determine the patient’s mental capacity to decide to leave AMA. That evening, the patient was hit by a car while walking and brought back to Baptist’s ED by ambulance with rib fractures, a collapsed lung, and multiple abrasions and lacerations.

The third patient presented to Baptist’s ED in May 2021, with plans to overdose. An ED physician examined the patient and diagnosed her with suicidal ideations and depression. The patient had a history of bipolar disorder, alcohol abuse, and previous suicide attempt. A suicide risk assessment categorized the patient as “high risk.” ED staff initiated suicide interventions. A urine drug screen returned positive for controlled substances. The on-call psychiatrist recommended inpatient psychiatric treatment. Approximately 24 hours after presenting, the patient was administered Celexa. Approximately 90 minutes later, she left the ED AMA, prior to receiving stabilizing treatment. ED staff did not take appropriate steps to determine whether the patient had the capacity to decide to leave AMA.

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