Ipledge Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. The medical procedures can be risky, therefore patients should be able to decide according to the known risks of their body, how it will be treated. So, before medical professionals can provide treatment to patients they must be given the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful requirement under which a patient is provided with specific information regarding the physical condition and the recommended treatment by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information the patient must be able to give the physician their consent to treat before any form or treatment can be delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent any health professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases, patients do not possess the capacity to comprehend the options for treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other circumstances patients may not be able communicate their decisions to the health professionals. Under these circumstances it is believed that the patient to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. An individual from the family or court-appointed representative in this case, can perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example they could be judged as lacking the ability to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Ipledge Consent Form
There are certain elements that are common to all consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The procedure recommended by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits that come with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
Not only should these details be recorded in the documentation However, they should also have a discussion with the patient. This way, he or she will fully understand what is happening and will be able to get immediate answers to any questions that have arisen.