Surgical Consent Form Pdf – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. Medical treatments can be injurious, and patients must be able, in the end, to decide, based on known risks of their body, how it will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are allowed to operate on patients, they must receive the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition in which patients are informed of his or her physical health and the treatment recommended by the treating physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to offer the physician consent to treat prior to any form of treatment can be given. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In some instances patients lack the skills to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the risks/benefits associated with each one. In other circumstances patients may not be able communicate their decision to health care professionals. If this happens the patient is considered to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. Family members or a court appointed representative can make informed consent on behalf of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions such as anxiety or fear for instance could be classified as not able to make decisions. Patients who are in the state of unconscious cannot make decisions on their own, and outside parties require consent for treatment instead.
Items in an Surgical Consent Form Pdf
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The treatment suggested by the physician in charge
The risks and the benefits associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments that are offered, as are their potential risks and benefits
The dangers and advantages with refusing treatment at all
The items should not only be documented However, they should also been discussed by the patient. This way, he or will be able to comprehend the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any questions that arise.