Drug Test Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able to decide according to the known risks that their bodies should be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they have to obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the requirement under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical state and the treatment recommended by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient has to provide the physician with consent to treat before any form or treatment can be provided. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional cannot offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other instances, patients may not be able to effectively communicate their decisions to the health care professionals. When this occurs it is believed that the patient not to have adequate capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative, can take over informed consent.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as lacking the ability to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot take decisions on their independent of themselves, so outsiders need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Drug Test Consent Form
Certain elements are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the medical professional in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are available, along with their risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with refusing any treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation, but they must also be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or she will fully understand the details of the situation and get straight answers to any queries that might be arising.