Taking Action when a Patient Violates the Patient Contract

When a patient violates a treatment agreement, you have the right to discontinue treatment but you should NOT release him/her from your practice without a plan in place.

Consider the following guidelines before discharging a patient from your practice:

• Such patients are often in need of more intensive treatment and you should arrange for another physician (such as a psychiatrist and/or addiction specialist) to take over treatment.
• Work with the patient's psychosocial treatment providers to assure that there is continuity of care after the patient is discharged from your practice.