Delaware Handbook: Informed Refusal

A PATIENT REFUSES TO FOLLOW THE TREATMENT PLAN I HAVE PRESCRIBED FOR HIM, WHAT SHOULD I DO? A patient who refuses to follow your treatment plan can be a liability. In such situations, it is crucial that you fully educate the patient on the risks and consequences of refusal and document your efforts. This discussion and the patient’s refusal should be documented in the medical record, and the patient should sign an informed refusal form. The following should be documented: consequence...