Is this Legal? My sister was transfered to another hospital because they didn't want to be liable?

Question

She has medial and they take medial there. She was transfered to another local hospital. She is very thing (anorexic looking) but its not. That is her natural body weight. It seems that the hospital want to look good in their mortality scores and they refuse to take chances. Is that legal?

But we wanted her to get treated at that hospital and not the new one

Unfortunately, she has Medical. We believe that she will receive better care at the first hospital. She doesn't have a primary doctor. Its a stressful situation right now.

Answer 1

As long as your sister is "stable", then they can have her moved to another facility. Like any business, they have certain rights when it comes to providing service but most hospitals don't look at Mortality numbers by themselves. If a patient comes in with a sprained ankle and dies, it is a major mortality issue, however if a patient comes in with an inoperable tumor and dies, not a big mortality issue. The issue here that you must consider is quality of care. Will your sister receive the same quality or better care at the other facility? What does your sister's Primary Care Physician have to say about the transfer? I am assuming "Medial" is her health insurance provider, are they an HMO, PPO or what? Will your sister's co-pay and deductibles be the same at both facilities?

Answer 2

As long as the hospital determines the patient is stable they can transfer her to another hospital no matter what the disease.

Answer 3

If it's in the U.S. or any country that has a privatized health system, then yes, it's legal. Especially if it's not a life or death situation.

Answer 4

Yes provided they found a good place for her and exercised care in transporting her.