The eMergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1985: federal law, an Oklahoma experience relevant to the psychiatric patient.

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1985 (EMTALA) was enacted to encourage emergency departments and physicians through fines and practice limitations to provide the same quality of care to all patients seeking medical assistance. Despite these penalties, violations continue to occur in all states including Oklahoma. One of the proposed reasons cited for this behavior is a physician's limited knowledge of the standard of care encompassed by the Act.