Informed Consent Geriatric Nursing

Words: 1203
Pages: 5
Open Document
Informed Consent and the Geriatric Patient
Cheryl Glaus
Brigham Young University-Idaho

Nursing 400
Sherry Stott
October 22, 2015

Informed Consent and the Geriatric Patient
Introduction
Informed consent is a legal term that indicates autonomous, informed authorization by a patient to undergo a medical treatment or medical procedure. The physician or other medical personnel cannot make medical decisions for a patient. The patient should be provided with accurate, significant, and appropriate information so that the patient can make informed medical choices. Informed consent includes the accurate discussion between a physician and patient that covers all information of a planned treatment. This discussion should be documented …show more content…
The manager’s role includes making sure that the process of informed consent is correctly achieved. In other words, informed consent is completed before the procedure and the doctor also signs it. The witness’ role is important for legal reasons and the nurse is responsible for witnessing the signing of the informed consent. As a patient advocate, the nurse encourages the patient to express any concerns and makes sure that any questions are brought to the doctor's attention prior to the procedure. Information given includes preoperative and postoperative teaching. The conclusion of this study suggests nurses play a fundamental role in obtaining informed consent. How well a nurse performs the role of obtaining informed consent depends on: clinical knowledge; education in ethical and legal matters; knowledge of the hospital policies; the patient's understanding; the family involvement; and cost factors (Susilo et al., …show more content…
Most geriatric patients are competent to provide consent for medical care. As a manager, witness, and advocate, nurses should help with the consent process by using clear communication, alleviating obstacles such as pain and anxiety and having an interpreter available for language barriers. Nurses also need appropriate education and clinical knowledge, understand ethical and legal matters and have knowledge of hospital policies to assist the patient in the consent process (Susilo et al., 2013). If a surrogate decision-maker is needed the most qualified client representative should be requested and the patient should be given the opportunity for assent (Batchelor-Aselage et al., 2014). If the patient is incompetent to make medical decisions and the care is an emergency and no other decision maker is available, regulation may prevent the position to undertake treatment with appropriate documentation (Batchelor-Aselage et al., 2014). The reason for informed consent is to encourage autonomy, to protect the patient from unwanted treatment and procedures, and to help the patient make suitable medical care decisions that connect with the patient’s own values. Informed consent is a process of mutual decision-making, not just an act of obtaining a signature on a consent
Show More

Related Documents: Informed Consent Geriatric Nursing

Informed Consent Case Study

comes to a decision. In some circumstances it may not be possible to obtain the patient’s informed consent. For example, the patient may be a young child, be unconscious, suffer dementia or have an intellectual disability. In such cases a legal guardian or an appropriate person who is in the position to grant consent on behalf of the patient should be contacted. The only individuals who are entitled to grant consent on behalf of a patient are legal guardians (welfare guardians under the Protection of…

Words 962 - Pages 4

Comparison of Cushions Essay example

Comparison of Cushions, Pt. II Michael Reynolds Introduction to Nursing Research NRS 433 Grand Canyon University November 23, 2014 Introduction As discussed in their study, Effectiveness of two cushions in the prevention of heel pressure ulcers, (2009), by Heyneman, Vanderwee, Grypdonck, and Defloor, pressure ulcers are a constant concern for nursing professionals. Pressure ulcers are emotionally, physically, and financially expensive. More evidence-based practice research into effective methods…

Words 991 - Pages 4

Racial Differences In The Use Of Advanced Directives And Attitudes Towards Hospice Care

Racial Differences In The Use of Advance Directives and Attitudes Toward Hospice Care? Journal of Geriatric Society, Volume 56, Issue 10, 1953-1958 Hospice is a program developed to allow people who are terminally ill an opportunity to die with dignity. Many people choose to spend their final days at home with close friends and families members. Patients also receive this service in hospitals, nursing homes and in assisted living facilities. Patients are frequently given medication to relieve pain…

Words 1270 - Pages 6

Research: Wii and Mild Balance Dysfunction Essay

Hosseini, 2008). The best way to promote awareness of risk factors for fall risks is community involvement (Hosseini & Hosseini, 2008). These are some organizations that can improve fall prevention strategies by providing community involvement; “…nursing homes, hospitals, insurance companies, community organizations, and even the government” (Hosseini & Hosseini, 2008, p. 15). Due to the increase in the elderly population, prevention programs as well as education for community are ways to decrease…

Words 6055 - Pages 25

Patient Falls In Nursing

Around the world health systems are increasingly aware about the need to improve the quality of care provided to service users in aspects of safety,effectiveness,appropriateness,access,efficiency and acceptability of care.The increase in health care knowledge has presented more challenges to the system.In Ireland,HIQA was established on 15th may 2007,which is responsible for setting standards in health and social services and for monitoring quality in the new restructured health service.Quality…

Words 1889 - Pages 8