Patient Discharge Policy for non-compliant Patients Who need to be discharged.

1. Assessment and Documentation

• Review Patient History: Evaluate the patient's history of non-compliance, including missed appointments, failure to follow treatment plans, non payment of subscription or inappropriate use of medication.

• Document Everything: Ensure that all instances of non-compliance are well-documented in the patient's medical records. Include any warnings or discussions about the importance of compliance.

2. Communication with the Patient

• Formal Warning: If not already done, issue a formal warning to the patient about their non-compliance and the potential consequences, including discharge.

•  Discharge Appointment: Arrange a meeting with the patient to discuss the issues. Clearly explain the impact of their non-compliance on their health and treatment outcomes.

• Explain Consequences: Inform the patient that ongoing non-compliance may lead to discharge from the practice, and outline what that will mean for their care.

3.  Decision to Discharge

• Final Review: If the patient remains non-compliant, conduct a final review with your practice’s clinical team to confirm the decision to discharge. Ensure the decision is in the patient's best interest.

• No Script Authority: If you determine that continuing to prescribe medication could be harmful or not in the patient's best interest, decide not to provide ongoing script authority. This should be based on clinical judgment and documented reasoning.

4.  Discharge Process

• Written Notification: Send a formal discharge letter to the patient. The letter should:

• State the reason for discharge (non-compliance).

• Clarify that no further prescriptions will be provided.

• Emphasize the importance of continuing care and direct them back to their GP for ongoing management.

• Provide a reasonable notice period for the discharge (e.g., 30 days), during which time emergency care can still be accessed if needed.

• Communication with GP: Send a comprehensive handover letter to the patient's GP, explaining the reasons for discharge and the decision not to provide script authority. Include relevant medical records and treatment history to ensure continuity of care.

• Please note that this letter is not a formal endorsement to co-prescribe stimulant medications with GP.

5.Follow-Up

•  Emergency Protocols: Outline what to do if the patient requires urgent care during the notice period.

• Support Transition: Help in transitioning the patient’s care back to their GP, such as coordinating a final appointment or providing advice on managing their condition without the medications previously prescribed.

6.Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Professional Guidelines: Adhere to relevant guidelines from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) concerning patient discharge.

7. Review and compliance

• Review Policies: After the discharge, review and update practice policies on patient compliance and discharge to ensure they are clear, consistent, and aligned with best practices.

8. Policy Approval

• This policy was approved by Kantoko on 30/8/2024 and is subject to periodic review.