Epipen Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make educated decisions about their medical care. Medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. Therefore, before medical workers are permitted to provide treatment to patients they have to obtain what is known as informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition under which a patient is provided with specific information regarding the condition of their body as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge. Once this information is received the patient has to give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of care is administered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the capabilities to fully understand their options in terms of treatment and the potential risks and benefits associated with each one. In some instances, patients may not be able communicate their decisions to the health 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 could then be able to take over informed consent.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as lacking the ability to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Epipen Consent Form
Certain elements are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the medical professional in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their benefits and risks
The benefits and risks associated with accepting no treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be documented, but they must also been discussed by the patient. This way, he can fully comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any issues that may arise.