Drug And Alcohol Clearinghouse Consent Form – Every person should be able to make educated decisions about their medical care. The medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able decide according to the known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition that requires that a patient be given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition and the treatment suggested by the treating physician. Once this information is received patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat before any form or treatment can be offered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each. In other circumstances, patients may not be able communicate their decisions to the health workers. If this happens, the patient is said not to have adequate decision making capacity. The family member, or court-appointed representative, could then be able to make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as lacking the ability to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly can’t make decisions on own. Therefore, outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Drug And Alcohol Clearinghouse Consent Form
Certain elements are commonly included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the physician in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, along with their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated of refusing treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be documented, but they must also communicated with the person receiving the treatment. This way, he can be fully aware of the details of the situation and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might have arisen.