Whos likely to leave AMA?
A look at risk factors Patients who leave AMA account for 0.8% – 2.2% of discharges from acute care hospitals in the United States. At facilities serving disadvantaged inner-city populations, however, it is estimated that as many as 6% of general medical patients and 13% of those with HIV/AIDS leave prematurely.1 AMA discharges occur more frequently at community hospitals than at teaching institutions, as well.2 The most likely times that patients walk out are in the evening and on weekends—the period of highest patient volume.2 Substance abusers and patients with mental and emotional problems are at significantly higher risk for discharge AMA than the average patient. Indeed, a history of alcohol abuse and being male are the two most significant predictors. 1,3 Others who are more likely to leave prematurely are patients who have no primary care provider and those without medical insurance. In addition, patients who have left prematurely in the past are likely to do it again. Whenever
