Physical Restraint Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed decisions about their health. Medical procedures can be demanding, and therefore patients should be able decide from the facts about risks that their bodies should be treated. So, before medical professionals are allowed to treat patients, they have to obtain what is known as informed consent.
A patient’s informed consent can be a legally binding requirement where a patient is informed of his or her physical health as well as the treatment that is recommended by the doctor in charge. Once this information is received, the patient must provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of care can be provided. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances, patients do not possess the capacity to comprehend the options for treatment and the benefits and risks associated with each. In some instances patients might not be able to effectively communicate their decision to health care professionals. In these situations patients are said to lack the necessary capacity for decision-making. The family member, or court appointed representative will then be permitted to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example they could be judged as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on independently, and other people are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Physical Restraint Consent Form
There are certain elements that are included on all informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment suggested by the physician who is acting
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are readily offered, as are their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with accepting no treatment at all
These details must not only be documented in a written document However, they should also be discussed with the patient. This way, he can be fully aware of all the details of the scenario and will receive immediate responses to any issues that may arise.