URMC Policy Document URMC
L I F E C H A N G I N G M E D I C I N E
INCIDENT #001 8/8/2026 | RSP COMPLAINT
Policy Number: URMC-001
Effective Date: August 2026
Department: Administration
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish clear expectations regarding interactions
between law enforcement personnel and URMC Emergency Clinic staff when a patient is
under arrest, detained, incarcerated, or otherwise in law enforcement custody.
This policy is intended to ensure that patients requiring emergency medical intervention
can receive necessary assessment, treatment, and stabilization without inappropriate
interruption or interference from law enforcement personnel.
Policy
URMC Emergency Clinic maintains that necessary emergency medical care and patient
stabilization take priority when a patient presents with a serious or potentially life-
threatening medical condition.
Law enforcement personnel, including officers of the Ridgeway State Police (RSP), are
expected to coordinate with clinical staff before removing, transporting, questioning, or
otherwise interfering with a patient who is actively receiving emergency medical
treatment.
A patient's status as a detainee, prisoner, suspect, or incarcerated individual does not by
itself eliminate the need for appropriate medical assessment and treatment.
When a patient requires immediate intervention, clinical staff must be provided a
reasonable opportunity to assess, treat, and stabilize the patient before law enforcement
transport, except when an immediate safety or security threat requires otherwise.
URMC Documents Center URMCL I F E C H A N G I N G M E D I C I N E
Any incident in which law enforcement actions materially interfere with necessary patient
care should be documented and referred to URMC Administration for review. Serious
incidents may also be referred to the appropriate law enforcement command staff or
other applicable authorities.
Every patient presenting to the URMC Emergency Clinic should be treated with dignity and
provided appropriate medical care without discrimination based upon arrest, detention,
incarceration, criminal allegations, or other custodial status.
Patients have the right to:
Receive appropriate emergency medical assessment and treatment based upon their
clinical condition. Have necessary life-saving or stabilizing interventions performed
without unreasonable interference. Be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their
legal or custodial status. Have clinical decisions regarding their immediate medical needs
made by qualified healthcare personnel. Receive reasonable continuity of care when
custody or transportation by law enforcement is required. Have concerns involving
interference with their medical care appropriately documented and reviewed.
URMC recognizes the legitimate responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, including
the Ridgeway State Police, and expects clinical personnel and law enforcement officers to
cooperate whenever possible. However, custody status should not be used as a basis to
unnecessarily delay, deny, or interrupt medically necessary emergency treatment.
Medical Director
NaydenVeteran
