prevalence and factors related to patients' abscond in 22 bahman hospital in qazvin from 2011 to 2020

prevalence and factors related to patients' abscond in 22 bahman hospital in qazvin from 2011 to 2020

patient escape from the hospital is an important issue with economic, social and health costs that is an important health and safety concern. in addition to the unfortunate consequences for the patient and his family, escape increases the responsibility and workload of hospital staff and hospital management to return the patient to the hospital.

aim: this study aims to identify the prevalence and factors related to patients' abscond in 22 bahman hospital in qazvin from 2011 to 2020.

methods: the present study is a descriptive epidemiological study in22 bahman hospital in qazvin. patients' files were reviewed over a time ten-year period from 2011 to 2020. data collection tools included a questionnaire of demographic information such as patient's characteristics. data were analyzed using spss software version 22.

results: the research sample consisted of 14,446 files reviewed by the researcher, and 204 files related to patient escape were extracted. the escape rate of patients with mental disorders in ten years in qazvin hospital was 1.61%, an average upward rate. according to the results, the incidence of patients' escape had decreased from 3.91% in 2011 to 0.86% in 2020. the highest escape rate was observed in men (83.82%), single (41.67%) and with undergraduate education (50.98%). also, people with a history of drug use and more extended hospital stays had higher escape rates (72.55%) .the highest escape rate is in summer with an incidence of 19.87%, and the lowest rate is in winter with a prevalence of 10.18%.

conclusion: the possibility of patient escape is considered a nursing diagnosis for all patients with mental disorders, and appropriate preventive measures should be implemented. the necessary interventions by the healthcare team (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatrists, paramedics, and occupational therapists) can reduce patients' motivation to escape by reducing their psychological, social, and communication problems. therefore, it is necessary for health workers and health care providers to pay more particular attention to patients by identifying them at risk of escape and reducing the rate of escape by providing a high-security environment.