I will not go into many specifics but basically I had a critically ill patient who wanted to leave AMA, but expected the nursing staff to help him/her out to a taxi. This person had an unresolved medical issue that obviously warranted critical care, had many invasive lines, was alert and oriented enough at this point to say he/she wanted to go home but was physically incapable of doing so. No family to carry her out. Just us.
So, yeah, sticky situation!
I understand that every patient has the right to leave AMA, but what happens if the exit involves way more than just signing an AMA form and walking out? What if the hospital staff, who believe that it would be in this patient's best interest to leave, seem to have to participate in the patient leaving? What if I loaded this person onto a wheelchair and something happens between my unit and the lobby?
What do you do these situations? Have you encountered this situation in your career? What does your hospital have to say about situations like these?
