HospitalInspections.org

Based on review of records and interview the hospital failed to provide a 4 hour letter after 1 of 1 patient (patient #5) requested to be discharged from the hospital on 10/25/15 and 10/26/15.

Findings Included:

The nursing assessment notes dated 10/25/15 on the 7-3 shift reflected, "Pt. slept all shift was up for a few minutes to see Dr... and back to bed, not visible on unit all day. Would not answer assessment questions, her reply to every question is 'I want to go home." The nursing assessment notes on 10/26/15 during the 3-11 shift reflect the patient requested to leave. There was no 4 hour letter offered to the patient after these two requests to go home. Patient #5 was not offered a 4 hour letter until 10/29/15.


Policy

The hospital Discharge Against Medical Advice dated 11/2014 reflected, "The voluntary patient's right to leave the hospital against medical advice is addressed in an appropriate and timely manner...All voluntary patients who have signed themselves into the hospital for treatment have the right to terminate their stay with or without consent of the Attending Physician."