Opioid Consent Form – Every person should be able to make educated decisions about their medical care. Medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able, in the end, to decide according to the known risks that their bodies should be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to provide treatment to patients they have to obtain the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition that requires that a patient be given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition and the treatment suggested by the treating physician. Once this information is received the patient has to be able to give the physician their consent to treat prior to any form of care is provided. Without informed consent from the patient health care professional is not allowed to provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations, patients do not possess the capacity to comprehend their treatment options and the risks/benefits of each. In other instances, patients may not be able to convey their preferences to health workers. In these situations the patient is considered to lack the appropriate capacity to make decisions. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative in this case, can perform informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as not possessing decision making capacity. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot make decisions on own, and outside parties have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Opioid Consent Form
Certain elements are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the medical professional in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this method of treatment
Alternative treatments are also offered, as are their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with refusing treatment whatsoever
Not only must these items be recorded in the documentation But they also need to be discussed with the patient. This way, he or is able to fully comprehend what is happening and get straight answers to any issues that may arise.