Against medical advice
Encyclopedia
Against Medical Advice, or AMA, sometimes known as DAMA, Discharge Against Medical Advice, is a term used with a patient
who checks himself out of a hospital
against the advice of his doctor
. While it may not be medically wise for the person to leave early, in most cases the wishes of the patient are considered first. The patient is usually asked to sign a form stating that he is aware that he is leaving the facility against medical advice, and the AMA term is used on reports concerning the patient. This is for legal reasons in case there are complications to limit liability
on the part of the medical facility.
In a mental hospital
setting, a patient is typically allowed to check out of the hospital by giving at least a day's notice (though in some jurisdiction
s the time may vary depending on whether the patient is under "informal" or "formal" voluntary commitment
). This is so that if the doctor believes that the patient would be a danger to self or others, the doctor has time to begin commitment
proceedings against the patient to compel the patient to remain in the hospital for treatment.
When a patient checks out against medical advice, the patient's insurer may not pay for subsequent stays for the same condition.
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
who checks himself out of a hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
against the advice of his doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. While it may not be medically wise for the person to leave early, in most cases the wishes of the patient are considered first. The patient is usually asked to sign a form stating that he is aware that he is leaving the facility against medical advice, and the AMA term is used on reports concerning the patient. This is for legal reasons in case there are complications to limit liability
Legal liability
Legal liability is the legal bound obligation to pay debts.* In law a person is said to be legally liable when they are financially and legally responsible for something. Legal liability concerns both civil law and criminal law. See Strict liability. Under English law, with the passing of the Theft...
on the part of the medical facility.
In a mental hospital
Mental Hospital
Mental hospital may refer to:*Psychiatric hospital*hospital in Nepal named Mental Hospital...
setting, a patient is typically allowed to check out of the hospital by giving at least a day's notice (though in some jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
s the time may vary depending on whether the patient is under "informal" or "formal" voluntary commitment
Voluntary commitment
Voluntary commitment is the act or practice of a person being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, or other mental health facility, voluntarily, and without the process of involuntary commitment...
). This is so that if the doctor believes that the patient would be a danger to self or others, the doctor has time to begin commitment
Involuntary commitment
Involuntary commitment or civil commitment is a legal process through which an individual with symptoms of severe mental illness is court-ordered into treatment in a hospital or in the community ....
proceedings against the patient to compel the patient to remain in the hospital for treatment.
When a patient checks out against medical advice, the patient's insurer may not pay for subsequent stays for the same condition.
External links
- Move Aside Doctor; It’s Time for Me to Go - Article on AMA at Litmuszine