Blood Drive Parent Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Medical procedures can be invasive, so patients should be able to decide in light of known risks, how their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals can be able to treat their patients, they must obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition that requires that a patient be given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition and the treatment suggested by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information the patient must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form of treatment can be offered. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not permitted to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the skills to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other instances patients might not be able to effectively explain their decisions to health workers. In such situations, the patient is said to lack the appropriate capacity to make decisions. A family member or court-appointed representative, could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for instance they could be judged as not having the capacity for decision-making. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Blood Drive Parent Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the acting physician
The risks and advantages associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages of refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation, but they must also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he will be able to comprehend what is happening and receive direct responses to any issues that may be arising.