Discharge against medical advice.
An audit of surgical patients who requested discharge against medical advice over a 5 year period (July 1996-July 2001) at the University of BeninTeaching Hospital showed that 78 patients (66 males and 12 females) were involved. The age range was 3 days to 85 years (mean 37.86 years). The 21-40 age group was the most involved. Trauma in general accounted for the most common clinical condition that caused a patient to discharge against medical advice (64 or 82%), while fracture involving the long bones was the most common condition (37 or 47.4%). The plausible reasons for this practice have been outlined including measures that may help to reduce discharge against medical advice in a developing country.
Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
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Ohanaka
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy