Gilchrist, Gail, Langohr, Klaus, Fonseca, Francina, Muga, Roberto and Torrens, Marta (2012) Factors associated with discharge against medical advice from an inpatient alcohol and drug detoxification unit in Barcelona during 1993-2006. Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems, 14 (1). pp. 35-44. ISSN 1592-1638

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Abstract

Records from 1,228 consecutively admitted patients (74.5% male) to an inpatient detoxification unit in Barcelona during 1993-2006 were examined to determine factors associated with discharge against medical advice (AMA). 21.5% of admissions were discharged AMA. In multiple logistic regression and compared to patients who were medically discharged; those discharged AMA were younger, more likely to be dependent on heroin, other opiates, cocaine or psychostimulants or be receiving suppression from methadone maintenance therapy [reference category: alcohol]. Assisting clinicians to identify patients most at risk for leaving inpatient detoxification AMA will enhance their ability to motivate such patients to remain in treatment.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	[1] Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems combines the characteristics of a fee-based and no-fee open-access journal. Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems is a scholarly journal that is available online to the reader without financial, legal, or technical barriers.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	discharge against medical advice, inpatient detoxification, substance abuse, Barcelona
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Pre-2014 Departments:	School of Health & Social Care School of Health & Social Care > Centre for Applied Social Research
Related URLs:	Publisher Publisher
Last Modified:	16 Oct 2016 14:44
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/7123

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