Leave hospital against medical advices. A cross-sectional study in burn wards

Background: Discharge against medical Advice (DAMA) is a process in which patients liberally leave the hospital without completing treatment period and despite the recommendation of the medical team. Although it is one of the patient s rights that have the permission of entering and exiting the hospital liberally, previous studies suggest the very high prevalence of complications and consequences following DAMA, including the patient s deterioration, complications, mortality, increased hospital costs and reduce hospital revenue. Also, the possibility of re-hospitalization for the same or similar conditions is more within these patients. This study aimed to investigate the reasons of DAMA in men and women burn wards.Methods: A cross- sectional (21 march-22 September 2018) descriptive study was conducted in Sina Hospital. A researcher-made questionnaire was used after determining its validity and reliability. All patients who wanted to DAMA completed the questionnaire. The data was analyzed by SPSS 19, using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: DAMA was in women ward(20%) and men wards (20%). Family troubles and anxiety (35% men,45%women),10% occupational troubles in men, prolongation of hospital stay (4%), Feelings of recovery(2%) were among the main reasons for discharging in men and women.Conclusion: Improvement of training and continuing the necessary treatment as outpatient are important factors that must be prepared in order to decrease the rate of DAMA.