A standardized document acknowledges a patient’s decision to leave a healthcare facility or discontinue a recommended treatment plan despite medical counsel to the contrary. The document serves as a record that the patient understands the potential risks and consequences of their choice, and releases the healthcare provider and facility from liability related to the patient’s decision.
This documentation offers crucial protection for healthcare providers and institutions, demonstrating that the patient was informed of potential negative outcomes associated with their departure or treatment refusal. It also provides a historical record of the patient’s decision-making process, which can be relevant in future medical encounters or legal proceedings. The utilization of such forms has evolved alongside increasing emphasis on patient autonomy and informed consent within the medical field.
