ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to identify the properties of patients who visited the emergency department and left of their own accord.

Patients who visited the emergency department and left by their own choice for any reason were evaluated retrospectively.

In this study, 1140 patients (57.7% male) were enrolled with a mean age of 40.5±14.9 years. Patients were admitted due to poisoning, abdominal pain and chest pain at rates of 23.2%, 16.4% and 15.1% respectively. It was found that 673 patients (59.0%) left because of being denied medical observation or treatment, and 215 patients (18.9%) left because of consultants running late.

Necessary arrangements must be put in place to reduce the number of patients who leave the emergency department by choice, prior to being discharged by a clinician.

Keywords: Emergency service, denial of treatment, leave