Discharge against Medical Advice among Children in Oman A university hospital experience
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2013, Vol 13, Issue 4
Abstract
Objectives: Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) is a major problem in healthcare delivery as it can complicate the health problems from which patients are suffering. Te aim of this study was to understand DAMA among children in a tertiary teaching hospital in Oman and to evaluate the documentation of the events in the medical records. Methods: A retrospective survey of the medical records of patients discharged against medical advice over a two-year interval was performed (2004–2006). Results: Of the 11,802 admissions, there were 38 cases of DAMA, giving a prevalence rate of 0.32%. In 39.5% of the cases, the discharge happened within 24 hours of hospital admission. Te majority of the cases were infants (n = 24; 63.25%). Te diagnosis at discharge in some cases included life-threatening conditions. However, in 57.9% of the cases, the reasons for DAMA were neither reported nor documented in the patients’ medical records. Conclusion: Although the results of this study yielded a low prevalence rate compared to the rates reported in other studies, the occurrence of DAMA for children in a tertiary hospital is a distressing phenomenon. It was evident that the documentation of the DAMA process was poor. More studies should be conducted to understand the details of the problem. Policies should be established and implemented in order to attempt to reduce DAMA among child patients and to protect them from the consequences of such discharges.
Authors and Affiliations
Muna Al-Sadoon| Department of Student, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Khalid Al-Shamousi| Department of Child Health and Student, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP14399
- DOI -
- Views 335
- Downloads 8
Students’ Perceived Benefits of Integrating a BSc in Health Sciences within a Medical Degree at Sultan Qaboos University
Objectives: After completing the pre-clinical phase of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum, undergraduate medical students may choose to add a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in health sciences to their MD degree. Limi...
Clinical Teachers’ Opinions about Bedside-based Clinical Teaching
Objectives: In recent years, there has been a decline in estimated time spent on bedside teaching. Te aim of this study was to evaluate clinical teachers’ perceptions and practice of, and approaches to, bedside teach...
A Study of Stress among Students of Professional Colleges from an Urban area in India
Objectives: Various studies across the globe have emphasised that students undertaking professional courses, such as medical and dental studies, are subjected to higher stress. Excessive stress could lead to psychologi...
Efficacy and Safety of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as a Primary Procedure for Controlling Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertensive Patients
Assessment of the potential efficacy and safety of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a primary therapeutic modality for lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) in high tension open angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular...
rimary School Managers’ Knowledge of and Attitude towards Epilepsy among Children in Erbil City, Iraq
Objectives: Tis study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of primary school managers regarding epilepsy among school children in Erbil City, Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary sc...