Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Although trauma patients are frequently discharged against medical advice (AMA), the fate of these patients remains mostly unknown. METHODS: Patients with traumatic injuries were identified in the California State Inpatient Database, 2007 to 2011. Readmission characteristics of patients discharged AMA were compared with patients discharged home. RESULTS: There were 203,756 (75.65%) patients discharged home and 4,480 (1.66%) discharged AMA. Compared with those discharged home, patients discharged AMA had significantly higher 30-day readmission rates (17.12% vs 6.75%), rates of multiple readmissions (3.83% vs 1.12%), and likelihood of being readmitted at different hospitals (44.83% vs 33.82%) (all P < .001). The commonest reasons for readmission in patients discharged AMA were psychiatric conditions [adjusted odds ratio: 1.67 (1.21 to 2.27)]. CONCLUSIONS: Discharge AMA is associated with multiple readmissions and higher rates of readmissions at different hospitals. Early identification of vulnerable patients and improved modalities to prevent discharge AMA among these patients may reduce the negative outcomes associated with discharge AMA among trauma patients.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.11.016

Type

Journal article

Journal

Am j surg

Publication Date

04/2016

Volume

211

Pages

677 - 683

Keywords

Against medical advice, Location, Readmission, Risk factors, Trauma, Adult, California, Demography, Female, Humans, Injury Severity Score, Male, Patient Discharge, Patient Readmission, Risk Factors, Treatment Refusal, Wounds and Injuries