AWOL status
Also written as: AWOL — Absent Without Official Leave
Administrative designation for patients who have left the facility without authorization or proper discharge.
Full Definition
AWOL status is an administrative and clinical designation applied to psychiatric patients who have departed the facility without following proper discharge procedures or obtaining authorization from the treatment team. This status triggers specific protocols including notification of emergency contacts, potential law enforcement involvement for involuntary patients, and documentation requirements for insurance and regulatory compliance. The designation affects billing, liability considerations, and readmission procedures.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with 'elopement' but AWOL specifically refers to the administrative status, while elopement describes the act of leaving.
In Context
- "The patient was placed on AWOL status after failing to return from his scheduled therapeutic pass." — Incident report
- "Hospital policy requires immediate supervisor notification when any patient achieves AWOL status." — Policy manual