Hospice Consent Forms – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical treatments can be injurious, and patients must be able to determine, based on known risks of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement under which a patient is provided with detailed information about his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. Once this information is received, the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of care can be provided. Without the patient’s informed consent any health professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances the patients aren’t equipped with the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options , as well as the benefits and risks associated with each. In some instances patients may not be able convey their preferences to health care professionals. If this happens it is believed that the patient not to have adequate decision making capacity. A family member or court-appointed representative, then, is allowed to take over informed consent.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not having the capacity for decision-making. The patients who are unconscious cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Hospice Consent Forms
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment recommended by the doctor in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
There are alternative treatments available, along with their potential risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be detailed in documentation They must also be discussed with the patient. So, he can be fully aware of all the details of the scenario and receive direct responses to any questions that may be arising.