Childrens discharge against medical advice

Abstract EN

To highlight the extent and to identify the factors contributing to children's discharge against medical advice, a prospective, standardized questionnaire interview was used for one year at the Prince Hashed Ben Al Hassan Military Hospital, Irbid, North Jordan.

Of 3868 Pediatric admissions, 149 (3.85%), including some with life-threatening conditions, were discharged against medical advice.

Seventy five per cent of the discharging parents were either illiterate or primary school educated.

The main reasons given for the discharge were the presence of other siblings at home (30.2%) and prolonged hospitalization (22.82%).

Conclusion: This issue is complex and multifaceted, inter-relating with many medical and social factors.

Legislation with a clear policy should be formulated by the authorities to protect children who are at risk.

Further prospective multicentre studies are warranted to identify the extent, pattern and risk factors.