Abstract
BackgroundLeaving hospital against medical advice (AMA) is common among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD) and is associated with severe health-related harms and costs. However, little is known about the prevalence of and factors associated with leaving AMA among PWUD.MethodsData were collected through two Canadian prospective cohort studies involving PWUD between September 2005 and July 2011 and linked to a hospital admission/discharge database. Bivariable and multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to examine factors associated with leaving hospital AMA among PWUD who were hospitalized.ResultsAmong 488 participants who experienced at least one hospitalization, 212 (43.4%) left the hospital AMA at least once during the study period. In multivariable analyses, factors positively and significantly associated with leaving hospital AMA included: unstable employment (AOR = 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–3.03); recent incarceration (AOR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.07–2.49); ≥ daily heroin injection (AOR = 1.49; 95%CI: 1.05–2.11); and younger age per year younger (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02–1.06).ConclusionsWe found a substantial proportion of PWUD in this setting left hospital AMA and that various markers of risk and vulnerability were associated with this phenomenon. Our findings highlight the need to address substance abuse issues early following hospital admission. These findings further suggest a need to develop novel interventions to minimize PWUD leaving hospital prematurely.
Highlights
Leaving hospital against medical advice (AMA) remains a major healthcare challenge that often leads to an array of negative health consequences and related costs
Bivariable and multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to examine factors associated with leaving hospital AMA among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD) who were hospitalized
Factors positively and significantly associated with leaving hospital AMA included: unstable employment (AOR = 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–3.03); recent incarceration (AOR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.07–2.49); daily heroin injection (AOR = 1.49; 95%CI: 1.05–2.11); and younger age per year younger
Summary
Leaving hospital against medical advice (AMA) remains a major healthcare challenge that often leads to an array of negative health consequences and related costs. Previous studies have documented elevated rates of readmission among patients who leave hospital AMA [1,2,3], suggesting that many of these individuals fail to make a full recovery the first time they are treated. Past studies have indicated an increased risk of mortality among patients who leave hospital AMA compared to those who had a planned discharge [4,5]. From a population health perspective, this is alarming given the known health risks associated with illicit drug use and leaving hospital AMA [8,9,10]. Leaving hospital against medical advice (AMA) is common among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD) and is associated with severe health-related harms and costs. Little is known about the prevalence of and factors associated with leaving AMA among PWUD
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