A patient may request a transfer to another hospital only if his or her medical condition is stable. Is this statement true or false?

The assertion that a patient may request a transfer to another hospital only if their medical condition is stable is false. Under EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act), patients have the right to request a transfer to another facility, but such a request can occur regardless of their medical condition.

When a patient requests a transfer, hospitals must assess the patient's current condition and determine if it is appropriate to proceed with the transfer. While it is highly advisable for patients to be stable before transferring—because an unstable condition could complicate logistics and risk patient safety—the law does not prohibit transfers based on the stability of a patient's condition.

Moreover, physicians and hospital staff have a duty to provide appropriate medical care and ensure the patient's safety during transfers, so the decision to transfer should always account for medical judgment and patient safety. However, this does not mean patients cannot request a transfer, even if they are unstable; hospitals should be prepared to manage such cases in accordance with EMTALA regulations.