Doctors study for years to be able to 'dish out' medical advice. They're trained to know whether or not it's safe for a patient to be discharged from hospital. Yet, every so often, they're met with someone who thinks they know better and refuses to stay for further treatment.
Against Medical Advice, or AMA as it's known in expert circles, can have serious repercussions and could even land you six feet under. That's why many hospitals will ask you to sign a form stating that you've chosen to go AMA. It ensures you know the risks of your actions and protects the hospital from legal backlash.
A nurse asked their peers to share the "Worst patient (clinically) that you've seen/heard of that left AMA (Against Medical Advice)," and the replies ranged from shocking to tragic: From a man who passed away shortly after his wife wheeled him out the door, seemingly against his wishes, to another who went AMA on his birthday after stating, "I’m going to go have my fun then I’ll be back, I promise” (spoiler alert: he attended his own funeral shortly after).
