Consent To Service Of Process Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine the risks that are known to be present and the way their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to operate on patients, they must obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement in which patients are provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical state and the treatment suggested by the physician who is acting as the patient’s physician. Once this information is received the patient must provide the physician with consent to treat before any form of treatment is offered. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases the patients aren’t equipped with the knowledge to fully comprehend their options in terms of treatment and the benefits and risks associated with each one. In some instances patients may not be able to effectively communicate their choices to health care professionals. In such situations the patient is considered not to possess the proper capacity to make decisions. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative then, is allowed to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example could be classified as not possessing decision making capacity. People who are not conscious cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Consent To Service Of Process Form
There are certain elements that are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the doctor in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are readily available, along with their risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with accepting no treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records They must also be discussed with the patient. So, he she will fully understand what is happening and will receive immediate responses to any queries that might arise.