Hippocratic Oath, Consent, Capacity And The Mental Halth Act Flashcards
What is informed consent?
Describe the treatment
Labelling the benefits and the risks
Alternative treatments and their risks and benefits
Understand all above and be able to come to a decision
What is the mental capacity act?
The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over.
Assume a person has the capacity to make a decision themselves, unless it’s proved otherwise, wherever possible, help people to make their own decision s. Don’t treat a person as lacking the capacity to make a decision just because they make an unwise decision. If you make a decision for someone who doesn’t have capacity, it must be in their best interests. Treatment and care provided to someone who lacks capacity should be the least restrictive of their basic rights and freedoms.
Examples could include - what to wear, what to eat - like at the care home or more major decisions.
Lasting power of attorney or as a doctor make a decision in their best interest.
What is capacity?
It is the ability to use and understand information given to make a decision which you then communicate.
To have capacity to make a decision - you must be informed and show logical reasoning how you came to your decision.
What is competency?
…
What is confidentiality?
It is a set of rues that limits access on certain types of information.
If you are owing to break confidentiality you should let the patient know before.
It is an ethical and legal duty but it is not absolute.
When can patient confidentiality be broken?
Patient safety - suicidal
Serious communicable diseases (HIV super-spreader)
Knife and gunshot wounds
DVLA
(May be required by law, patient contented, public interest)
Does patient confidentiality continue after death?
Yes
How should portfolios be written to avoid breaking confidentiality?
Do not include patient identifiable details - name, initials, DOB…
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults to protect them from harm. Safeguarding means: protecting from abuse and maltreatment…
What is the mental health act of 1983?
It can be used to section a patient and treat them without agreement if they pose a risk to themselves and to others.
Here they would be viewed as not having capacity.
