Assessing capacity and obtaining consent for thrombolysis for acute stroke

Author: Akinsanya Jonathan   Diggory Paul   Heitz Elizabeth   Jones Valerie  

Publisher: Royal College Of Physicians

ISSN: 1470-2118

Source: Clinical Medicine, Vol.9, Iss.3, 2009-06, pp. : 239-241

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

When offering treatment to a patient with capacity they should be informed of the risks and benefits of therapy and consent should be obtained. For patients without capacity, treatment is given in their ‘best interests’. Achieving and assessing capacity to consent for treatment in the presence of acute illness can be difficult and especially so in patients suffering with acute stroke. This article presents patients’ and doctors’ perspectives on assessing capacity to consent to thrombolytic therapy for stroke.