Influenza VACcine Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Medical treatments can be invasive, so patients should be able to decide, based on known risks, how their bodies will be treated. So, before medical professionals can operate on patients, they have to obtain the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition in which patients are provided with a full and complete description of his or her physical condition as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient must offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of care can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances, patients do not possess the skills to comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits of each one. In some instances patients might not be able to communicate their choices to health professionals. If this happens the patient is said to not possess adequate decision making capacity. Family members or a court-appointed representative, will then be permitted to provide informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear for instance – may be determined as not having the capacity for decision-making. People who are not conscious cannot make decisions on independently, and other people require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Influenza VACcine Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits that come with this treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, as well as their potential risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with refusing any treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be recorded in the patient’s medical records They must also be discussed with the patient. In this way, he or can be fully aware of the details of the situation and get straight answers to any questions that may have arisen.