Jornal de Pesquisa Clínica e Bioética

Abstrato

An Informed Consent: A Little Life at Risk

Afsana Padaniya*

Background: Neonates are very vulnerable population and their decisions are taken by their parents or guardians.

Purpose: Consent is important to take before any procedure, but what if waiting for consent can risk the patient’s life? Do health care providers have authority to take decision in the absence of patient’s parents?

Methods: A combined literature review was conducted using key words in Google Scholar, and PubMed. Moreover, books were thoroughly reviewed to understand ethical dilemmas.

Results and discussion: In health care settings, consent is taken at the time of admission of the patient, but in any emergency situation in which patient’s life is at risk, health care professionals are obliged to perform their duty and benefit patient by saving patient’s life. Health care professional face ethical dilemmas many times where they are in conflict if there is no one to take decision.

Implications for practice: It is important to explain parents that they need to be available all the time in order to take decision for their child and avoid any conflict.

Implications for research: Hospital NICU policy should be developed regarding parents and health care professional’s roles and responsibilities so that future conflicts can be avoided.