Informed Consent

Question 1

Professional Introduction

Answer 1

-Always address the client with the appropriate title and last name
-Shake hands (after appropriate infection control)
-Always introduce yourself with:
Your first and last name, your profession: occupational therapy, a brief 1-liner defining your profession, where you are from (University of St. Augustine)

Question 2

Elements of Informed Consent

Answer 2

-Confirm the client (request 2 person identifiers i.e. birthdate and patient wrist band):
-Give a brief description of the client’s condition/diagnosis
-Describe the proposed/recommended treatment plan/techniques
-Describe the benefits of the proposed treatment to the client (i.e. expected outcome of the
treatment)
-Discuss potential negatives of the proposed treatment (i.e. primary known/anticipated
risks/precautions)
-Offer alternative treatments to the client
-Re-emphasize why the proposed treatment would benefit the client
-Explanation of possible consequences of no treatment
-Answer any questions from the client or caregiver
-Request permission to begin treatment
-Document the process used to obtain informed consent

Question 3

If the patient refuses treatment…

Answer 3

Discuss the possible consequences of no treatment. DOCUMENT that you provided informed consent and the client indicated consent or refusal on 3 separate occasions that you offered therapy.

Question 4

Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming

Answer 4

• Wash hands (BEFORE you do ANYTHING with any CLIENT or PATIENT)
• Introduce Yourself
• Confirm the client
• Brief description of the client’s condition/diagnosis
• Describe the proposed/recommended treatment plan
• Benefits of therapy
• Potential negatives of the proposed treatment
• Alternatives
• Answer any questions
• Request permission to begin treatment

Question 5

Introduce Yourself (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 5

Hi. Mrs. Smith? (shake hands) My name is XXXX and I’m an occupational therapist from the University of St. Augustine. In Occupational Therapy, we work with people, like you, on getting you back to doing the things you want and need to do.

Question 6

Confirm the Client (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 6

To get started, would you please tell me your full name and date of birth? (Client states name/birthday; look at their wrist band to confirm)

Question 7

Brief description of the client’s condition/diagnosis (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 7

I understand you have been in the hospital for a few days following a bout of pneumonia and that you have not been getting out of bed. Is that right? (Client verbally confirms)

Question 8

Describe the proposed/recommended treatment plan (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 8

Would you be interested in getting out of bed and cleaning up a bit over at the sink in the bathroom? You could brush your teeth, brush your hair, and maybe wash your face.
I can get a wheelchair and show you how to move over safely to the wheelchair.

Question 9

Benefits of therapy (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 9

The benefits of cleaning up may help you feel better and get you prepared for the day and your visitors.

Question 10

Potential negatives of the proposed treatment (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 10

As you move around, you may feel light-headed or dizzy because you have been in bed for a few days. You may also find out that it may be harder for you to move around now than before you got sick. This is to be expected. Please let me know. I am right here to help you as you need it.

Question 11

Alternatives (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 11

If going over to the sink sounds like too much for you to do today, then I can help set you up at the edge of the bed to do some hygiene and grooming.
However, I think it would be best if you get out of bed and clean up at the sink so you can safely move around more and be as independent as possible.

Question 12

Answer any questions (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 12

Do you have any questions?

Question 13

Request permission to begin treatment (Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming)

Answer 13

Are you ready to get started now?

Question 14

Example of Informed Consent for Hygiene and Grooming

Answer 14

• Wash hands (BEFORE you do ANYTHING with any CLIENT or PATIENT)
• Confirm the client
• Brief description of the client’s condition/diagnosis
• Describe the proposed/recommended treatment plan
• Benefits of therapy
• Potential negatives of the proposed treatment
• Alternatives
• Answer any questions
• Request permission to begin treatment