High Risk Informed Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their health. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine, based on known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to be able to treat their patients, they must be given the so-called informed consent.
The informed consent requirement is legal condition in which patients are provided with detailed information about his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient must be able to give the physician their consent to treat before any form of care can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent an health care professional is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases, patients do not possess the knowledge to fully comprehend their treatment options and the benefits and risks associated with each. In other circumstances, patients may not be able to effectively convey their preferences to health care professionals. In such situations, the patient is said not to have adequate capacity to make decisions. The family member, or court appointed representative could then be able to perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear for instance are deemed not possessing decision making capacity. People who are not conscious are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an High Risk Informed Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment suggested by the physician who is acting
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with refusing treatment whatsoever
These details must not only be recorded in the documentation They must also be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or is able to fully comprehend what is happening and receive direct responses to any questions that may have arisen.