Consent Form For Seasonal Influenza Vaccine – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able, in the end, to decide in light of known risks that their bodies should be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to treat patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition where a patient is informed of his or her physical condition and the recommended treatment by the acting physician. Once this information is received patients must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is administered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients don’t have the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options , as well as the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances, patients may not be able to convey their preferences to health care professionals. When this occurs patients are said to lack the necessary decision making capacity. A family member or court appointed representative can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, for instance they could be judged as not having the capacity to make decisions. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on their independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent Form For Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, along with their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages of refusing treatment at all
Not only should these details be recorded in the patient’s medical records, but they must also discuss the situation with patients. This way, he or she will fully understand the details of the situation and get straight answers to any issues that may have arisen.