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Characterization of absconding and attempts to abscond in a Colombian general hospital.

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Title: Characterization of absconding and attempts to abscond in a Colombian general hospital.
Alternate Title: Caracterización de fugas e intentos de fuga en un hospital general colombiano.
Caracterização de fugas e tentativas de fuga em um hospital geral colombiano.
Authors: Prada, Nicolas J.1 nicolas.prada@udea.edu.co, Castrillón-Martínez, Esteban2 esteban.castrillonm@udea.edu.co, Perez-Gutierrez, Ana María3 ana.perez12@udea.edu.co, Zapata-Ospina, Juan Pablo4 juanp.zapata@udea.edu.co
Source: Revista Cuidarte. sep-dic2025, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p1-14. 14p.
Subjects: CROSS-sectional method, SUBSTANCE abuse, SECONDARY analysis, SEX distribution, HOSPITAL care, TERTIARY care, QUANTITATIVE research, DESCRIPTIVE statistics, AGE distribution, HOSPITAL emergency services, PATIENT dropouts, RESEARCH methodology, MEDICAL records, ACQUISITION of data, SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors, DATA analysis software, PSYCHOSOCIAL factors
Geographic Terms: COLOMBIA
Abstract (English): Introduction: Patient absconding in healthcare institutions has been associated with negative outcomes for both patients and the institutions themselves. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the frequency and characteristics of these events in Latin America, especially in general healthcare hospitals that do not specialize in psychiatric care. Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the event characteristics, among patients who absconded or attempted to abscond from a tertiary general hospital in Medellín, Colombia, between 2015 and 2023. Materials and Methods: Quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study using secondary sources, where information was collected from the medical records of patients who absconded or attempted to abscond at the Hospital Alma Mater de Antioquia. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results: A total of 141 events were recorded during the evaluated period (135 absconds and 6 attempts to abscond). The period prevalence of absconding was 5.5 per 10,000 admissions, and most patients were young, single males, with a high frequency of substance use. Most events took place in the emergency department during the daytime. Discussion: Studying the epidemiological profile of absconding patients and their motivations could facilitate prevention and intervention. Conclusion: A lower absconding rate was found compared to reports from other countries. However, the characteristics of the patients were similar, with a predominance of young, single male patients with psychiatric history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish): Introducción: Las fugas de pacientes en instituciones de salud se han asociado con desenlaces negativos tanto para los pacientes como las mismas instituciones. A pesar de esto, pocos estudios han evaluado la frecuencia y características de estos eventos en Latinoamérica, especialmente en hospitales generales no especializados en atención psiquiátrica. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y de los eventos de pacientes que presentaron fuga o intento de fuga en un hospital de alta complejidad de Medellín, Colombia entre 2015 y 2023. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal a partir de fuentes secundarias donde se recolectó la información de historias clínicas de pacientes que presentaron fuga o intento de fuga en el Hospital Alma Mater de Antioquia. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo de los datos. Resultados: Se presentaron 141 eventos durante el periodo evaluado (135 fugas y 6 intentos de fuga). La prevalencia de periodo de fuga fue 5,5 fugas por cada 10.000 ingresos y la mayoría de los pacientes fueron jóvenes de sexo masculino y solteros, con una alta frecuencia de consumo de tóxicos. La mayoría de los eventos ocurrieron en el servicio de Urgencias durante el día. Discusión: El estudio del perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes fugados podría facilitar su prevención e intervención. Conclusión: Se encontró una tasa de fuga menor a las reportadas en otros países. A pesar de esto, las características de los pacientes fueron similares, predominando un patrón de pacientes masculinos, jóvenes, y solteros con antecedentes psiquiátricos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Portuguese): Introdução: Fugas de pacientes de instituições de saúde têm sido associadas a desfechos negativos tanto para os pacientes quanto para as próprias instituições. Apesar disso, poucos estudos avaliaram a frequência e as características desses eventos na América Latina, especialmente em hospitais gerais não especializados em atendimento psiquiátrico. Objetivo: Descrever as características sociodemográficas, clínicas e dos eventos de pacientes que sofreram fuga ou tentativa de fuga de um hospital de alta complexidade em Medellín, Colômbia, entre 2015 e 2023. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, utilizando fontes secundárias. As informações foram coletadas dos prontuários médicos de pacientes que sofreram fuga ou tentativa de fuga no Hospital Alma Mater, em Antioquia. Foi realizada uma análise estatística descritiva dos dados. Resultados: Houve 141 eventos durante o período de avaliação (135 fugas e 6 tentativas de fuga). A prevalência de períodos de evasão foi de 5,5 por 10.000 internações, e a maioria dos pacientes era jovem, solteiro, do sexo masculino e frequentemente envolvido no uso de substâncias. A maioria dos eventos ocorreu no Pronto-Socorro durante o dia. Discussão: Estudar o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes em evasão pode facilitar a prevenção e a intervenção. Conclusão: A taxa de evasão foi menor do que a relatada em outros países. Apesar disso, as características dos pacientes foram semelhantes, com predominância de pacientes jovens, solteiros, do sexo masculino e com histórico psiquiátrico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Revista Cuidarte is the property of Universidad de Santander and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: MedicLatina
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  Data: Characterization of absconding and attempts to abscond in a Colombian general hospital.
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  Label: Alternate Title
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  Data: Caracterización de fugas e intentos de fuga en un hospital general colombiano.<br />Caracterização de fugas e tentativas de fuga em um hospital geral colombiano.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Prada%2C+Nicolas+J%2E%22">Prada, Nicolas J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> nicolas.prada@udea.edu.co</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Castrillón-Martínez%2C+Esteban%22">Castrillón-Martínez, Esteban</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> esteban.castrillonm@udea.edu.co</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Perez-Gutierrez%2C+Ana+María%22">Perez-Gutierrez, Ana María</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><i> ana.perez12@udea.edu.co</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zapata-Ospina%2C+Juan+Pablo%22">Zapata-Ospina, Juan Pablo</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><i> juanp.zapata@udea.edu.co</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Revista+Cuidarte%22">Revista Cuidarte</searchLink>. sep-dic2025, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p1-14. 14p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22CROSS-sectional+method%22">CROSS-sectional method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22SUBSTANCE+abuse%22">SUBSTANCE abuse</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22SECONDARY+analysis%22">SECONDARY analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22SEX+distribution%22">SEX distribution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22HOSPITAL+care%22">HOSPITAL care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22TERTIARY+care%22">TERTIARY care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22QUANTITATIVE+research%22">QUANTITATIVE research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22DESCRIPTIVE+statistics%22">DESCRIPTIVE statistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22AGE+distribution%22">AGE distribution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22HOSPITAL+emergency+services%22">HOSPITAL emergency services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22PATIENT+dropouts%22">PATIENT dropouts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22RESEARCH+methodology%22">RESEARCH methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22MEDICAL+records%22">MEDICAL records</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22ACQUISITION+of+data%22">ACQUISITION of data</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC+factors%22">SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22DATA+analysis+software%22">DATA analysis software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22PSYCHOSOCIAL+factors%22">PSYCHOSOCIAL factors</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COLOMBIA%22">COLOMBIA</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract (English)
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introduction: Patient absconding in healthcare institutions has been associated with negative outcomes for both patients and the institutions themselves. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the frequency and characteristics of these events in Latin America, especially in general healthcare hospitals that do not specialize in psychiatric care. Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the event characteristics, among patients who absconded or attempted to abscond from a tertiary general hospital in Medellín, Colombia, between 2015 and 2023. Materials and Methods: Quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study using secondary sources, where information was collected from the medical records of patients who absconded or attempted to abscond at the Hospital Alma Mater de Antioquia. A descriptive statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results: A total of 141 events were recorded during the evaluated period (135 absconds and 6 attempts to abscond). The period prevalence of absconding was 5.5 per 10,000 admissions, and most patients were young, single males, with a high frequency of substance use. Most events took place in the emergency department during the daytime. Discussion: Studying the epidemiological profile of absconding patients and their motivations could facilitate prevention and intervention. Conclusion: A lower absconding rate was found compared to reports from other countries. However, the characteristics of the patients were similar, with a predominance of young, single male patients with psychiatric history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract (Spanish)
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introducción: Las fugas de pacientes en instituciones de salud se han asociado con desenlaces negativos tanto para los pacientes como las mismas instituciones. A pesar de esto, pocos estudios han evaluado la frecuencia y características de estos eventos en Latinoamérica, especialmente en hospitales generales no especializados en atención psiquiátrica. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y de los eventos de pacientes que presentaron fuga o intento de fuga en un hospital de alta complejidad de Medellín, Colombia entre 2015 y 2023. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal a partir de fuentes secundarias donde se recolectó la información de historias clínicas de pacientes que presentaron fuga o intento de fuga en el Hospital Alma Mater de Antioquia. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo de los datos. Resultados: Se presentaron 141 eventos durante el periodo evaluado (135 fugas y 6 intentos de fuga). La prevalencia de periodo de fuga fue 5,5 fugas por cada 10.000 ingresos y la mayoría de los pacientes fueron jóvenes de sexo masculino y solteros, con una alta frecuencia de consumo de tóxicos. La mayoría de los eventos ocurrieron en el servicio de Urgencias durante el día. Discusión: El estudio del perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes fugados podría facilitar su prevención e intervención. Conclusión: Se encontró una tasa de fuga menor a las reportadas en otros países. A pesar de esto, las características de los pacientes fueron similares, predominando un patrón de pacientes masculinos, jóvenes, y solteros con antecedentes psiquiátricos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract (Portuguese)
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introdução: Fugas de pacientes de instituições de saúde têm sido associadas a desfechos negativos tanto para os pacientes quanto para as próprias instituições. Apesar disso, poucos estudos avaliaram a frequência e as características desses eventos na América Latina, especialmente em hospitais gerais não especializados em atendimento psiquiátrico. Objetivo: Descrever as características sociodemográficas, clínicas e dos eventos de pacientes que sofreram fuga ou tentativa de fuga de um hospital de alta complexidade em Medellín, Colômbia, entre 2015 e 2023. Materiais e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, utilizando fontes secundárias. As informações foram coletadas dos prontuários médicos de pacientes que sofreram fuga ou tentativa de fuga no Hospital Alma Mater, em Antioquia. Foi realizada uma análise estatística descritiva dos dados. Resultados: Houve 141 eventos durante o período de avaliação (135 fugas e 6 tentativas de fuga). A prevalência de períodos de evasão foi de 5,5 por 10.000 internações, e a maioria dos pacientes era jovem, solteiro, do sexo masculino e frequentemente envolvido no uso de substâncias. A maioria dos eventos ocorreu no Pronto-Socorro durante o dia. Discussão: Estudar o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes em evasão pode facilitar a prevenção e a intervenção. Conclusão: A taxa de evasão foi menor do que a relatada em outros países. Apesar disso, as características dos pacientes foram semelhantes, com predominância de pacientes jovens, solteiros, do sexo masculino e com histórico psiquiátrico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Revista Cuidarte is the property of Universidad de Santander and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – SubjectFull: SUBSTANCE abuse
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