CoreFree
Informed Consent and Communication
Valid consent means a competent patient understands the exam, its risks and options, and agrees freely.
The rule
Informed consent is a patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after learning what it involves. The patient must understand the nature of the procedure, its risks and benefits, the alternatives, and the right to refuse. Consent must be given freely, by a person who is able to decide, before the procedure begins. A patient can withdraw consent at any time, even partway through an exam.