Is the discharge summary right?

Query- I would like to know your opinion about the right practice if a patient got discharged at request or against medical advice.
 
1.Do we need to give Discharge summary or a simple reference letter will suffice?
 
2.If we give summary do we need to give discharge medication?
 
Please clarify.
 
Thank you very much.
 
Dr.Sudhakar MV
Orthopaedic Surgeon
 
Answer- Your liabilities are different in each case and are summarised as  follows

1. Patient absconding (Patient went away without informing) – Just note down in case file that patient has absconded and inform police in writing.


2. Patient want discharge against medical advice- patient has right to take discharge summary. Record in case sheet that patient / relatives want discharge against medical advice and take their signature.


3. Discharge on request as they want to take to other hospital- give discharge summary, arrange for ambulance and doctor if patient is critically ill.


4. Discharge on request- give discharge summary and discharge medication.

 
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With warm regards,
Prof ( Dr ) R K Sharma
MBBS (AIIMS) , MD ( AIIMS), FIAMLE , FICFMT ,
Medico-Legal Consultant
President, Indian Association of Medico-Legal Experts , New Delhi
Former Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
tel no 0091-9891098542
Supreme Medico-legal Protection Services Pvt Ltd
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