Kerman University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Health Policy and Management 2322-5939 8 8 2019 08 01 Leaving Against Medical Advice From In-patients Departments Rate, Reasons and Predicting Risk Factors for Re-visiting Hospital Retrospective Cohort From a Tertiary Care Hospital 474 479 3616 10.15171/ijhpm.2019.26 EN Obada Hasan Orthopedic Section, Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Muhammad Adeel Samad General Surgery Department, York Hospital, York, PA, USA Hamza Khan General Surgery Department, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA Maryam Sarfraz Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan Shahryar Noordin Orthopedic Section, Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Tashfeen Ahmad Orthopedic Section, Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Gul Nowshad Pioneer Public Health Consultants (PPHCUSA), Houston, TX, USA Journal Article 2018 08 23 Background Approximately 1% to 2% of hospitalized patients get discharged or leave from the hospital against medical advice and up to 26% in some centers. They have higher readmission rate and risk of complications than patients who receive complete care. In this study we aimed to determine the rate of leave against medical advice (LAMA) and reasons for the same across different in-patient departments of a tertiary care hospital. Methods Retrospective cohort study on patients admitted in all departments at our institute over a 1-year period. All patients who were admitted to an in-patient ward at the hospital and who left against medical advice by submitting a duly filled LAMA form were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models with forward selection methods were employed. Revisit to hospital within 30 days; to clinic or emergency department was outcome variable for regression. Results From June 2015 to May 2016 there were 429 LAMA patients, accounting for 0.7% of total admissions. Females were 223 (52%) compared to males 206 (48%). Finances were quoted as the most common reason for LAMA by 174 (41%) patients followed by domestic problems 78 (18%). Internal medicine was the service with the highest number of LAMA patients ie, 153 (36%) followed by Pediatric medicine with 73 (17%). Of the 429 patients, 147 (34%) patients revisited the hospital within 30 days. Sixty-one percent of these ‘bounced-back’ LAMA patients had worsening or persistence of same problem, or new problem/s had developed. In unadjusted bivariate logistic model, patients who were advised for follow-up during discharge against medical advice were four times more likely to revisit the hospital. Patients who were married had an increased odd of revisiting the hospital. Conclusion Financial reasons are the most common stated reasons to LAMA. Patients who LAMA are at a high risk of clinical worsening and ‘bouncing back.’ This is the first study from our region on in-patient LAMA rates, to our knowledge. The results can be used for planning measures to reduce LAMA rates and its consequences.

https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3616_353457ee8646ef30cd1041f57b9b405a.pdf