Intermediate
Formal
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
discharge against medical advice
Patient-initiated departure from treatment despite clinical recommendation to continue, requiring specific documentation and follow-up protocols.
Full Definition
A situation where a patient chooses to leave a behavioral health treatment program or facility despite the clinical team's recommendation that continued treatment is medically necessary. This type of discharge requires careful documentation of the risks explained to the patient, the patient's capacity to make the decision, and efforts made to encourage continued treatment. Special protocols must be followed to ensure patient safety and legal compliance.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as adjective; spell out fully rather than using AMA in formal reports.
In Context
- "The patient's discharge against medical advice was thoroughly documented with witness signatures." — Medical record documentation
- "Risk factors for discharge against medical advice include substance use disorders and personality disorders." — Quality improvement report
Also known as
AMA discharge
patient-initiated discharge
Contrasted with
planned discharge
clinical discharge
Don't confuse with
elopement
AWOL