The patient's physician shall then attempt to inform the patient of the risks of leaving against medical advice in an effort to have the patient reconsider the decision. If the patient refuses to sign the release form, the staff shall document the refusal, time, date and witness signature on PS.2.06 Leaving Hospital AMA form and place it in the patient's medical record. See Policy No. ML 1.06 for Involuntary Commitment. Staff interacting with a patient seeking AMA shall document facts of the interaction in the appropriate medical record note.
Exception is when the patient is a minor.
The Nursing Director on duty shall be notified. A request by a family member that the patient not be allowed to leave the hospital AMA will not be honored if the patient is deemed competent. A request by parents for discharge of a minor shall be honored if the minor's physician has no reason to suspect child abuse by the parents, and gives his permission The parent or legal representative will be asked to sign the AMA form. If the physician believes that the child should not be released to the parents, protocol shall be followed to hold and protect the child until Child Protective Services can investigate. The spouse or primary caretaker of the patient leaving AMA shall be notified of the patient's leave if applicable.