title: Can you force treatment on a patient? New york lawsuit addresses key issues.
abstract: Several court cases indicate the sensitive nature of providing treatment for patients who vehemently object to it. Unless the patient has given "informed refusal," you probably are on solid ground. Here are some suggestions for making sure you and your staff act appropriately: * Remind your staff that those patients who are adults and of sound mind have the right to refuse treatment. * Be certain to document carefully, and make adult patients aware that they may be hindering their own care if they refuse certain tests or treatment. * If a patient is violent, try to determine if the patient's judgment is impaired by alcohol or drugs, which would give you the right to proceed even if they refuse treatment.
mesh_terms: D003068:Coercion; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*