Patient-Directed and Administrative Discharges

Learn to tackle two of the most legally and ethically fraught moments in hospital medicine--patient-directed discharges and administrative discharges--and turn them into a clear, evidence-based playbook you can actually use at the bedside. The session walks through using capacity assessments, care expectation plans, and documentation strategies that protect both your patients and your team from real malpractice and safety risks. If you've ever felt stuck between respecting autonomy and ensuring safe care, this session gives you the framework to handle these discharges with confidence, compassion, and legal soundness.

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Availability

On-Demand

Expires on May 13, 2029

Cost

Member: $0.00

Non-Member: $95.00

Credit Offered

0.25 CME Credit

Overview
Faculty
Accreditation
Recommended

Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, learners should be able to:

Recognize common reason for patient-directed discharges and how to address them
Understand the legal and ethical implications of patient-directed discharges
Explore patient autonomy and informed content, and responsibilities of the physician when a patient chooses a patient-directed discharge
Discuss implementation of risk mitigation and documentation of best practices
Define administrative discharges and their appropriate use
Discuss how to best document care expectation plans
Discuss effective communication and documentation strategies for risk mitigation
Review legal considerations

Faculty

Ashwini Niranjan-Azadi, MD, SFHM
Yelena Burklin, MD, MA
Megan Brooks, MD, MPH
Gabriela Bambrick-Santoyo
Lily Ackermann, ScM, MD, FACP, SFHM

Faculty Disclosures
The individuals in control of content for this activity have no relevant relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies to disclose unless listed here. Any relevant relationships were mitigated prior to the start of this activity.

Accreditation Statement
The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Credit Statement
The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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