Pediatric discharge against medical advice
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 11 March 2019
Issue publication date: 11 March 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons for discharges against medical advice (DAMA) and the possible outcomes among pediatric patients.
Design/methodology/approach
A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all children admitted and then discharged against medical advice in two maternity and children’s hospitals in Jeddah, 2014. Phone interviews were conducted, and medical records were reviewed for DAMA and control groups; a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect this information.
Findings
The top three reasons identified for DAMA were parent’s false assumption that their child’s condition had improved (43.8 percent), dissatisfaction with treating/managing team (16.2 percent) and difficulties arranging care for patient’s siblings at home (7.7 percent). The readmission rate was significantly higher among DAMA pediatric patients compared to the control group (28.5 percent vs 11.5 percent) at 30-day follow-up, which highlights the importance for developing interventions aimed at reducing DAMA.
Originality/value
This study helps us to better understand DAMA reasons and outcomes. Understanding these factors can encourage appropriate interventions and policies for reducing DAMA rates. In this way, pediatric patients can be protected from inappropriate discharge consequences.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author expresses sincere gratitude to Dr Majid Al-Ghamdi, author’s advisor, for supporting the thesis and to Dr Adel Ibrahim for his support in statistical analysis. The author would also like to extend gratitude to everyone who helped in data collection. The author would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing. This study was self-funded. There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
Citation
Al-Mohammadi, E. (2019), "Pediatric discharge against medical advice", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 366-374. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-02-2018-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited