Biometric Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their medical care. The medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able, in the end, to decide in light of known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to treat patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition that requires that a patient be informed of his or her physical state and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. After receiving this information, the patient must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form of treatment is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand their options regarding treatment, and the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In some instances, patients may not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health workers. Under these circumstances, the patient is said to not possess adequate capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative, could then be able to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example – may be determined as not possessing decision making capacity. People who are not conscious are unable to make decisions on their independently, and other people require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Biometric Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also offered, as are their benefits and risks
The benefits and risks associated with refusing treatment at all
These items must not only be documented in a written document however, they must discuss the situation with patients. This way, he or can fully comprehend the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that may be arising.
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