Procedure Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Treatments for medical conditions can be risky, therefore patients should be able decide, based on known risks that their bodies should be treated. So, before medical professionals can operate on patients, they must be given what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition under which a patient has been provided with specific information regarding his or her physical health and the treatment recommended by the acting physician. Once this information is received patients must give the doctor their consent to treat prior to any form of care is administered. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional is not allowed to provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options , as well as the potential risks and benefits associated with each. In other circumstances patients may not be able to communicate their decisions to the health professionals. In these situations the patient is said not to possess the proper decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative, can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients who are greatly influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as lacking the ability to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot take decisions on their own. Therefore, outside parties are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Procedure Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical conditions/diagnosis
The treatment that is recommended by the medical professional in charge
The risks and benefits associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their risks and benefits
The risks and benefits associated with accepting no treatment at all
These details must not only be documented however, they must communicated with the person receiving the treatment. In this way, he or is able to fully comprehend the specifics of the situation and can get direct answers to any questions that arise.
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