Surgical Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their health. Treatments for medical conditions can be sensitive, so patients must be able decide in light of known risks as well as their own personal preferences, how they will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to administer treatments to patients, they need to receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement where a patient is given a complete and accurate description of the physical condition and the treatment recommended by the doctor in charge. After receiving this information the patient must give the doctor their consent to treat before any form of treatment can be delivered. Without informed consent from the patient, a health care provider cannot provide treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand the options for treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each. In other circumstances patients may not be able communicate their decision to health workers. When this occurs the patient is said not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative in this case, can perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are strongly affected by their emotions – anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not possessing decision making capacity. The ones who are asleep clearly cannot take decisions on their independently, and other people need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Surgical Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical diagnosis/condition
The treatment recommended by the physician who is acting
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are available, as well as their benefits and risks
The dangers and advantages with refusing treatment at all
These details must not only be recorded in the patient’s medical records, but they must also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or can be fully aware of the details of the situation and receive direct responses to any questions that be arising.
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