What should a Patient Care Technician do if a patient wants to leave the hospital against medical advice?

When a patient expresses the desire to leave the hospital against medical advice, it is crucial for the Patient Care Technician to inform the healthcare provider and ensure that the patient fully understands the risks associated with leaving. This action is important because it allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's decision and discuss any potential consequences of leaving the hospital, which could include worsening of their health condition or lack of necessary follow-up care.

Ensuring the patient understands the risks serves several purposes: it promotes patient safety, supports informed decision-making, and provides an opportunity for the healthcare team to reinforce the need for continued treatment. This communication also documents the patient's wishes and the information provided to them, which is important for both legal and ethical reasons.

While notifying the patient's family, encouraging the patient to stay, or providing transportation options could be considered supportive actions, they do not address the primary responsibility of the Patient Care Technician in this situation. The focus must be on involving the healthcare provider properly and safeguarding the patient's well-being by ensuring they are well-informed of the implications of their choice to leave.