i. Sufficient disclosure of information
Information about the special procedure is disclosed to the patient according to subjective, reasonable, and professional community standards. It is required that the patient discusses his or her medical condition with the physician and is aware of potential treatment procedures or alternative treatments and the risks linked to them.
ii. Capacity of the patient to make a decision
The patient should be competent enough to make an informed decision regarding the special procedure. In cases of incompetency, a suitable proxy decision maker should make the decision on behalf of the patient. After reading the special procedure consent form, the patient is at the capacity to agree with the need for blood transfusion and its associated risks if required along with administration of contrast.
iii. The patient’s level of information understanding
The physician should ensure that the patient is fully able to comprehend information being disclosed. The patient should therefore understand the information, evaluate it according to his or her preference, and come to a suitable decision (Paterick, Carson, Allen & Paterick, 2008). In the special procedure consent form the patient consents to observation of his or her procedure by special persons and the presence of a medical representative in the procedure room for medical education purposes.
iv. Volunteer aspect
It is important to allow the patient to make a decision freely without being coerced by the healthcare providers. The special procedure consent form indicates that the patient is given an opportunity to ask questions pertaining to the procedure until he or she is satisfied. The patient has also been informed of all risks associated with the procedure, blood transfusion (if required) and the moderate sedation.
v. Patient’s consent
The patient agrees with the terms and conditions outlined on the consent form by making an authorized signature. The patient or an authorized surrogate/ proxy (for incompetent patient) is required to sign indicating that the physician is authorized to give health information related to the special procedure to the patient’s friends and family with some exceptions.
Purpose of Consent Forms from a Patient’s Point of View
Consent forms enable synergy between patients and health professionals (Manson & O’Neill, 2007). Patients and their physicians will work together to attain agreed upon goals; this will lead to higher patient satisfaction with the organization’s services. Consent forms build patient autonomy and empowerment. Patients and their close family members know what is most preferable and valuable for their healthcare and treatment and what treatment options cause adverse effects (Bustillos, 2013). Consent forms enhance a patient’s ability to participate in problem solving and decision-making therefore giving more control over his or her life. Thus, a patient is empowered because health practitioners recognize patient input in medical delivery.
Purpose of Consent Forms from an Organization’s Point of View
Consent forms prompt organizations to adhere to ethical principles, which are autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice. Autonomy is the right a patient has not to be performed surgery, blood transfusion, aesthesia or special procedures without his or her permission. Non-maleficence is the oath to avoid treatment options that will cause more harm than good to a patient unless the treatment option has a higher chance of saving life than causing death. Beneficence governs healthcare professionals to work towards the good of their patients and avoid malicious or dangerous medical acts. Justice principle can be classified into distributive and procedural justice (Bustillos, 2013). Justice in medical organizations defines that a patient’s rights are adhered to by the medical team unless otherwise with a justifiable reason.
References
Bustillos, D. (2013). Understanding Health Care Ethics and Medical Law (1st ed., pp. 1-100). Bridgepoint Education.
Manson, N. C., & O'Neill, O. (2007) Rethinking informed consent in bioethics
Cambridge University Press
Paterick, T. J., Carson, G. V., Allen, M. C., & Paterick, T. E. (2008) “Medical informed
consent: general considerations for physicians” Mayo Clinic Proceedings Vol. 83,
No. 3, pp. 313-319 Elsevier
