Can they prevent me leaving?

[LaurieFairyCake]

I have to have a general anaesthetic and then be discharged the same day.

My partner can't come and get me.

Can I discharge myself. The nurse said 'they wouldn't let me leave unless I was with someone'

Anyone know?

You can discharge yourself against medical advice. No one can stop you.

If you intend to drive yourself and staff consider your would pose a risk to others they can call police.

If you telegraph in advance that you intend to self discharge and/ or you cannot give a safe discharge arrangement when asked they may cancel your procedure

Yes but driving after an op is ridiculously dangerous. The OP could get a cab though.

I had sedation for an endoscopy . Friend came with me. I thought I was ok after it but she said I was weaving all over the place when walking. Sister came and stopped overnight. Another time I stayed overnight with my mom. I would not have been able to manage alone

Everyone is very risk averse on this thread! I bought my car to take a good crash because people can't drive and drive under the influence. I wouldn't recommend driving after a GA OP as it's likely to be an unpleasant experience.

It should be your risk to take whether you have someone at home or accept the tiny risk to have some peace and quiet!

What is your plan OP? Can you get a taxi home to DH or could you ask for it to be done under regional. They cannot detain you but it may raise questions if you need future surgery.

OP here’s the dilemma, no matter how many general anaesthetics a patient has had in the past, there is always the risk that on this occasion you may have a reaction after you’ve been discharged. This is why the advice is given. Do you have a friend or another family member who can accompany you home?
How are you planning on getting home? Please don’t consider even for one second driving (and anyone else reading this, driving is an absolute NO).

I've released myself. They insisted taking me down in a wheelchair and then I walked home. If you're reasonably young and in decent shape it can be fine. It's a risk but it's yours to take. You can't drive or you'd invalidate your insurance.

They said you should leave with someone. If no one else can, your partner will need to. Big question is, why can’t he? If it is due to work, they would have to let him take the day off, or maybe leave early etc.

Can you hire a carer for a day?
Or ask a neighbour?

Seriously? If you're single, and your friends all have one of those "job" things that mean they're unavailable to casually drive you around, you're not allowed surgery? I guess single people are a burden on society, but seems a bit harsh to deny them healthcare.

Will he be at home when you get there? And what op is it?

I left the same day after a laparoscopy, I could barely shuffle to the car park and cried as I climbed into the car. A friend got me as DH was with the DC. I can’t imagine having done that on my own into a taxi.

I've never had an issue taking a taxi home after a general anaesthetic. My husband doesn't drive for medical reasons.

The line is

-It's your prerogative to take a risk with your own health hence if you have capacity you can self discharge and the risk is on you. You will be asked to sign to that effect.

• however you cannot take a risk with other people's safety hence no driving
• you cannot force the hospital/ clinician doing the procedure to go ahead in circumstances that they deem to be unsafe. They have the right not to offer you the service if you don't comply to the rules. As in most walks of life.

In the old days you would have been put on the afternoon list and stayed in hospital overnight.

Wouldn't work because they ask for the number of the person and they ring them when you are ready to go. No number no procedure. The hospital staff aren't stupid

Very interested to know why DP can’t come and get her. Can’t think of many reasonable excuses apart from disabled or ill himself.

That’s what I was thinking. Even if he doesn’t drive, he could meet her and then they get a taxi back, then at least she isn’t on her own.

OP, you are not in prison and free to discharge yourself - I guess it would be easier if you signed something as this reduces the burden/stress on the staff.

I've had GA, been good about 2 hours later.
They also prefer you to have someone around for 24 hours I think.
Its all precautionary.

Many years ago when we worked, children worked I had a day visit to hspt and GA - they asked has someone come to pick you up - I said yes they are in the car outside - it was goodbye - I had no one, OH offered as well as children to come and pick me up, but I declined

However, hospitals say that kind of stuff as its in your best interest.

Good luck and honestly, I'd get someone to help out pick you up, come with you etc

My (then) H couldn't collect me after I had had a GA as he was somewhere in the North Atlantic on deployment.

That is fair enough but also a very specific and extreme case. I doubt it is the case for OP.

I live in the US so different maybe, but they won’t start procedure without contact for who is picking you up

Student nurse here - you will have to sign a form that you are self discharging in case anything happens to you on leaving.

I really wouldnt recommend it as you will still be a bit out of it x

Well, you can give them contact details, but plans can change, people can get held up, the person collecting could have car problems, an emergency, etc.

I was allowed home in a taxi because I said someone was at home waiting.
There are many people who have nobody to collect them or to stay with them overnight.
I fall into that category and would rather be home than stuck in a noisy ward, taking up a bed and nurses time.

Why would they do that?

WRONG on every level.