​​Absconding is a major patient safety issue for people with mental illness because of the potential increased risk of harm to self or others when an individual leaves the care environment. 

Generally, absconding refers to an instance where a person in care cannot be located within the treatment unit and that person’s whereabouts are unknown. Although absconding can take place in many different care settings, this module focuses on the absconding of individuals under care in a hospital setting.

This module will teach you:

• Individual, clinical, and treatment factors that may contribute to the occurrence of absconding

Learning Objectives

• Understand absconding and missing patients as a patient safety issue

Want to learn more? Download the module.

This document was revised in September 2017.

Learn more about becoming a patient safety trainer so you can teach patient safety in your organization.

For more information, contact us at psepcanada@cpsi-icsp.ca or 1-866-421-6933.