![]() ![]() Leaving against medical advice (AMA) is different from elopement or wandering and is determined by the patient's decision to leave the facility having been informed of and appreciating the risks of leaving without completing treatment.( 4) Fully competent patients are legally able to discharge themselves without completing treatment. According to the VA National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS), elopement is defined as: "A patient that is aware that he/she is not permitted to leave, but does so with intent."( 1) In many cases of elopement, the patient may have a decreased mental capacity related to dementia or temporary delirium, or intermittent mental status changes related to medication, disease, or traumatic injury.( 2) Despite the level of capacity or intent, both of which may be difficult to determine, eloping patients are often at risk for serious harm, and there are many cases where patient elopement has resulted in death.( 3) On the other hand, wandering refers to a patient who "strays beyond the view or control of staff without the intent of leaving (cognitive impairment)."( 1) Wandering can also lead to significant safety risks when the patient has decreased capacity.( 2) (For more information on elopement terminology, see Table.) Such behavior was typical for this patient, who was known for being one of the hospital's "frequent flyers." However, when he did not return 3 hours later, security was called to locate him.įinding that a patient has "gone missing" is a scary situation for providers and patients' families. On the morning of anticipated discharge, he was not in his room at the time of the physician's visit. ![]() ![]() After being treated for his worsening cardiomyopathy and renal failure, his mental status began to clear. Identify legal risks associated with elopement.Ī 61-year-old male with a history of chronic pancreatitis and cardiomyopathy attributed to alcohol was admitted for chest pain, acute on chronic renal failure, and altered mental status.Describe strategies for preventing elopement and steps for responding after a patient elopement has been identified.Identify leading contributors to elopement events.Define elopement and differentiate it from wandering and leaving against medical advice. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |