Erisa Consent Form – Everybody should be able to make informed choices about their healthcare. Medical treatments can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition that requires that a patient be provided with specific information regarding his or her physical condition and the treatment recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient has to sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form of treatment is administered. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the capabilities to fully understand their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances, patients may not be able to communicate their decision to health professionals. When this occurs it is believed that the patient to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative will then be permitted to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not having the capacity to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Erisa Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The procedure recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records But they also need to communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he is able to fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that may arise.