White Paper

5 Pages
  • 5 Pages

Consent Forms vs. Informed Consent

 

To be effective, a patient's consent must be informed.

Except in emergencies, health care practitioners must generally obtain the patient's informed consent before providing treatment. If the patient lacks capacity due to age or incompetence, consent must be obtained from a personal representative authorized by law to provide consent. Failure to obtain or properly document informed consent may subject practitioners to civil, administrative, and/or criminal liability. This white paper reviews the importance of periodically reviewing consent processes and forms to ensure that they adequately establish and document valid informed consent.