The lack of a discharge order may indicate that the patient left against medical advice. If this situation occurs, you would expect to see the circumstances of the leave

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If a patient leaves against medical advice, it is important to document the circumstances of the leave in both the progress notes and the discharge summary. This ensures that there is a clear record of the situation for future reference and for communication with other members of the healthcare team. While incidents of leaving against medical advice may be reported to the Executive Committee or filed in an incident report, the primary documentation should be in the progress notes and discharge summary. Reporting as a potentially compensable event would depend on the specific circumstances and policies of the healthcare facility.

The Lack of a Discharge Order May Indicate That the Patient