Patient abandonment involves situations when a health care provider unilaterally terminates the relationship without a valid reason, reasonable notice or during a critical phase of care. For patients, the consequences can be terrible.
Is patient abandonment also medical malpractice? The answer depends. One of the most critical questions that has to be considered is whether the patient experienced an unavoidable injury or worsening of their condition as a result of the situation.
Some examples
All kinds of situations can interfere with the continuity of a patient’s care, but here are some common scenarios:
- A doctor suddenly and voluntarily leaves their practice without notifying their patients and no care plan is left in place.
- A patient is abruptly discharged from a hospital without the doctor making certain that they have the proper follow-up care arranged.
- A patient is suddenly dismissed from a practice for interpersonal conflicts with a provider without any notice.
- A patient is in critical condition or at a critical stage of care when their insurance is canceled, and the provider immediately denies them further treatment
Medical providers are not required to continue care in all situations. In general, doctors are under no obligation to continue treating patients who are violent or abusive, unwilling or unable to pay or noncompliant. Even so, they’re generally required to give a patient “adequate notice” – which is about 30 days in most situations in Georgia.
If you believe that you or your loved one suffered medical malpractice due to patient abandonment, it may be time to seek legal guidance.