What is Included in a Consent Form for a Medical Procedure?

When a medical provider performs some type of treatment, procedure, test, or another medical process on you, you have the right to informed consent. A medical provider must use reasonable care when diagnosing and treating their patients. If they are negligent in any way or make mistakes, they may commit medical malpractice if their patients are harmed as a result. A patient that undergoes a medical procedure who has not given their informed consent, in most situations, who suffers injuries can consider this a situation of medical malpractice. In Pennsylvania, victims of medical malpractice can hold their medical providers accountable for harming them in medical malpractice events.

Medical malpractice claims are some of the most difficult and challenging personal injury claims to bring about. Still, medical malpractice is something that is very common in the United States, and victims can take legal action when they suffered damages from medical negligence.

For assistance with a medical malpractice claim, the Pennsylvania lack of informed consent attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP can help.

Essential Components of Informed Consent Forms

Before a medical procedure, your medical provider should discuss the procedure with you in great detail. This gives you the best understanding possible of what the procedure is, why your medical provider recommends it, and what potential risks and advantages can result if you choose to move forward. Should you voluntarily decide, after knowing all of these facts, to have the test or procedure done, and you sign off on the forms saying you understand everything, then this is what is called your informed consent.

Informed consent forms will typically include the following:

• What your diagnosis is.
• What procedure or treatment is.
• What expected benefits can result if the treatment or test is successful?
• How likely is it that your condition will benefit from the test or procedure?
• Risks that could happen from agreeing to have the test or procedure done.
• Other medical options that could be available and what their pros and cons are.

Usually, when a patient is given their full explanation of everything and agrees to continue with the test or procedure, they will sign the form and, by doing so, provide their consent. The medical provider who will be administering the treatment or test will also sign the consent form.

It is important that the patient have a basic and reasonable comprehension of what they are agreeing to. A medical provider should be prepared to answer questions and also speak clearly and in terms that are understandable.

There are certain times when informed consent is not possible, and a medical provider must make quick decisions and treat a patient. An emergency situation where a patient cannot speak for themselves but their situation requires immediate action is an example of one.

Speak to an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP

Where it applies, informed consent is incredibly important. Patients have the right to control their healthcare choices and must be given information to understand what their options are so they can make the most informed decisions.

If you believe that you were the victim of medical malpractice in Pennsylvania, please call the Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP, to schedule a free consultation at (215) 731-9900. You may be entitled to considerable financial compensation.