Ambulance Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their health. The medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel are allowed to administer treatments to patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal requirement under which a patient is informed of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information patients must offer the physician consent to treat before any form of treatment can be offered. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional cannot offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances, patients do not possess the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other instances patients may not be able to communicate their decisions to the health professionals. In these situations it is believed that the patient to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. A family member or court-appointed representative, will then be permitted to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear for instance they could be judged as not possessing decision making capacity. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Ambulance Consent Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The recommended treatment is suggested by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits that come with this procedure
Alternative treatments that are available, along with their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be documented However, they should also have a discussion with the patient. This way, he or will be able to comprehend the particulars of the case and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might arise.