Sample Patient Dismissal Policy

If you do not have a patient dismissal policy at your practice, it’s a good idea to seek counsel with an attorney to help you develop one, says James Saxton, attorney and chair of the healthcare litigation and risk management group at Stevens & Lee, a law firm based in Lancaster, Pa.

Once a policy is in place, it's not necessary to contact the attorney each time you decide to discharge a patient, but Saxton does advise seeking counsel when less common or difficult dismissal situations arise.

To give practices more of an idea of what such a policy should include, Stevens & Lee provided Physicians Practice with this sample dismissal policy.

Note: This material has been prepared by Stevens & Lee for general information purposes only and may not reflect current legal developments or the law in your particular jurisdiction. No warranties, guarantees, or representations are made as to the accuracy and adequacy of the information provided. This information is not a substitute for obtaining appropriate legal advice related to your particular situation.