News & Knowledge Florida Handbook: Informed Refusal A patient refuses to follow the treatment plan I have prescribed for him. What should I do? Under Florida law, a patient has the right to refuse any treatment that is not otherwise required by law; however, the healthcare provider has the responsibility to document such a refusal. 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. 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 included in the documentation: consequences of refusal (risks and complications), advice given to the patient, instructions… Are you a Curi member? The full content of this resource is available only to Curi members. Contact us if you are a member but do not have an account yet, or to learn more about becoming a Curi member. Sign in to see full post Curi’s risk mitigation resources and guidance are offered for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not medical or legal advice, does not replace independent professional judgment, does not constitute an endorsement of any kind, should not be deemed authoritative, and does not establish a standard of care in clinical settings or in courts of law. If you need legal advice, you should consult your independent/corporate counsel. We have found that using risk mitigation efforts can reduce malpractice risk; however, we do not make any guarantees that following these risk recommendations will prevent a complaint, claim, or suit from occurring, or mitigate the outcome(s) associated with any of them. READ NEXT July 29, 2022February 15, 2023Forms & Templates | Informed Consent & Refusal | Policy Templates Policy: Informed Refusal Policy Read more September 11, 2020February 24, 2023Informed Consent & Refusal Florida Handbook: Informed Consent Must the patient sign a consent form for every treatment or procedure? Under the Florida Medical Consent Law, informed consent is required for any medical treatment… Read more December 6, 2019March 9, 2023Clinical Care | Informed Consent & Refusal Informed Consent Templates: Consent Form Template Read more