Hospitals must comply with CMS emergency services requirements and EMTALA obligations under the 2026 Conditions of Participation. Whether an acute care hospital or a Critical Access Hospital (CAH), facilities are required to maintain policies, staffing, equipment, and protocols that meet federal standards established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and enforced under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
This webinar provides a detailed review of CMS Hospital Conditions of Participation related to emergency services, EMTALA compliance requirements, and newly implemented maternal safety standards. Healthcare leaders will gain practical guidance to remain survey-ready and reduce regulatory risk in 2026.
CMS Emergency Services Requirements – Acute Hospitals
Emergency Services Requirements – Critical Access Hospitals (CAH)
EMTALA Obligations for Hospitals​​​​​​​
Obstetrical Services & Maternal Safety Standards​​​​​​​
Appendix and Resources
Laura A. Dixon recently served as the Regional Director of Risk Management and Patient Safety for Kaiser Permanente Colorado, providing consultation and resources to clinical staff. Prior to joining Kaiser, she served as the Director of Facility Patient Safety and Risk Management and Operations for COPIC from 2014 to 2020. In her role, Ms. Dixon provided patient safety and risk management consultation and training to facilities, practitioners, and staff in multiple states. Such services included creating presentations on risk management topics, assessing healthcare facilities, developing programs, and compiling reference materials that complement physician-oriented products.
Before joining COPIC, she served as the Director, of the Western Region, Patient Safety and Risk Management for The Doctors Company, Napa, California. In this capacity, she provided patient safety and risk management consultation to the physicians and staff in the western United States. Ms. Dixon’s legal experience includes medical malpractice insurance defense and representation of nurses before the Colorado Board of Nursing.
Ms. Dixon has over twenty years of clinical experience in acute care facilities, including critical care, coronary care, peri-operative services, and pain management.
As a registered nurse and attorney, Laura holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Regis University, RECEP of Denver, a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Drake University College of Law, Des Moines, Iowa, and a Registered Nurse Diploma from Saint Luke’s School Professional Nursing, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is licensed to practice law in Colorado and California.