Informed decisions

Approved by: President and Chief Executive Officer
DATE: February 25, 1998

P/P #VI-D-5
Caritas believes in providing patients/residents (herein referred to as 'patients') with appropriate information in order that they can make informed decisions.
A physician or a certified clinician is responsible for the Informed Consent process for specific procedure(s) for which he/she has certified competency. Evidence of this process will be appropriate consent forms signed prior to the commencement of the specific procedure.
All inpatients, emergency patients, outpatients and residents will be requested to sign the Admission Document (General Treatment Consent, Financial Commitment/Personal Belongings form (#90053) as part of the admission process.

PROCEDURE:
DEFINITIONS
EMERGENCY CONSENT: Is to be used in a situation where: it is impossible to obtain consent of the patient or legal guardian or agent under the Personal Directives Act; the patient has not been known to have previously withheld consent for the procedure; and there exists an immediate threat to the life and health of the patient.

INFORMED CONSENT: Is one in which the consenting patient has been adequately informed, understands the following, and has signed the written consent.
diagnosis, as known
nature and purpose of recommended procedure/therapy
significant risks and benefits of procedure/therapy
reasonable alternative procedures/therapy available
risks of foregoing suggested care
significant risks and benefits of administration of anaesthetic when required
possibility of transfusion and significant risks and benefits of receiving blood or blood products (see point 4.2 for details)

PROCEDURE: Any examination, operation, procedure or treatment performed on a patient of the Hospital.

1.0 AUTHORIZATION OF CONSENT
1.1 The person giving the consent must be physically, mentally and legally capable of doing so in accordance with the following categories:

2.0 DURATION OF VALIDITY OF CONSENT
2.1 The written consent remains valid for the duration of the proposed treatment(s) or procedure(s). This includes any intervening waiting period that may be experienced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the circumstances to the original consent have changed in the intervening period, new consent must be obtained. These circumstances include, but are not restricted to:
the patient's/resident's condition,
the physician's knowledge about the condition,
the physician's knowledge about the proposed treatment or procedure; or
medical knowledge which may affect the original advice given to the patient or the individual legally authorized to consent on the patient's/resident's behalf.

3.0 COMPLETION OF CONSENT FORMS
3.1 Hospital staff may obtain the patient's (or authorized individual's) signature on the consent form, the Informed Consent having been obtained previously by the physician. Hospital staff will refer to the physician any medical questions as per the definition of Informed Consent. [Exception: A Certified Clinician is responsible for the Informed Consent process for those procedures for which he/she has certified competency.] Evidence of this process will be appropriate consent forms signed prior to the commencement of the specific procedure.
3.2 All inpatients, emergency patients, outpatients and residents will be requested to sign the General Treatment Consent, Financial Commitment/Personal Belongings form (Admission Document), #90053 - Appendix 1, as part of the admission process.

4.O SURGICAL OR DESIGNATED PROCEDURES REQUIRING WRITTEN SPECIFIC CONSENT
4.1 "Consent to Specific Procedure" should be obtained for surgical and invasive investigative or therapeutic procedures.

5.0 REFUSAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT
5.1 A patient or individual legally authorized to consent on the patient's behalf has the right to refuse consent after being informed of the risks and potential consequences of refusal.
5.2 If the patient refuses or withdraws consent, this fact must be recorded on the Patient Care Record and the attending physician or designate notified.
5.3 Patients who refuse the necessary health care that has been advised by a physician will be requested to sign the Release of Responsibility section on the General Treatment Consent Form.
Caritas Health Group: Donna Tonowski, Policy & Procedures Coordinator - 450-7205