Researchers Help Identify High-Risk AMA Patients, Solutions
By Greg Freeman
Researchers recently studied the underlying causes of patients leaving AMA, finding certain populations are at higher risk. The team also identified possible ways to reduce AMA rates.1
They found “a significant and increasing prevalence of up to 1%-2% of all hospital admissions” result in AMAs. They also noted some research suggests the risk of readmission was 12 times higher in patients who leave AMA when compared to a non-AMA group. The AMA group recorded a higher 12-month all-cause mortality rate (6.7% vs. 2.4%).
The researchers identified several reasons patients usually leave AMA, including physician factors (e.g., lack of coordination among providers), nurse factors, demographic factors (e.g., younger than age 40 years and low household income), substance abuse, and psychiatric disease.
Potential tactics to prevent patients leaving AMA include including intervention by the physician. “The central core of this kind of communication is to help identify any potential issues that can be addressed without necessarily leaving the hospital,” the researchers noted.
Social worker involvement also can be effective, the researchers concluded. Hospitals can address discharge AMA by shortening the waiting time in the ED.
REFERENCE
- Albayati A, Douedi S, Alshami A, et al. Why do patients leave against medical advice? Reasons, consequences, prevention, and interverntions. Healthcare (Basel) 2021;9:111.
Researchers recently studied the underlying causes of patients leaving AMA, finding certain populations are at higher risk. The team also identified possible ways to reduce AMA rates.
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