Nurse manager says you can't refuse iv

[paintedbison]

This is at a hospital a friend of mine works at. She said the nurse manager in L&D says you can't refuse an iv access in labor. She said you can refuse the fluids, but not the iv access. Is their any truth to this whatsoever? I don't see how this can possibly be legally correct...

[chip193]

Patients can refuse and/all care at any time. So why would the access be any different?

Seems to me that the manager is misinformed.

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

Our patients can refuse an IV and IV access. Most refuse the IV fluids though and are usually OK with a heplock.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

You can refuse any and all healthcare. Now....usually if you explain why (if something happens later, you aren't trying to get IV access while wheeling her down to the OR for a C-Section) they'll usually do it. But legally??? I'm pretty sure the patient can refuse.

[Straydandelion]

When you sign admission papers going into the hospital, there is a "blanket" treatment patients also sign. Part of the "blanket" treatment includes IV's which is probably where your NM is coming from. In other words the patient already signed permission for the IV on admission. Not being knowledgeable in the legal aspects however, it seems the patient would be able to rescind that "blanket" permission, the question is would that also rescind any admission agreement? There is also a possibility the individual insurance can deny payment if some treatment is refused.

((not an OB-Gyn nurse but saw the question and worked in UR))

[morte, LPN, LVN]

When you sign admission papers going into the hospital, there is a "blanket" treatment patients also sign. Part of the "blanket" treatment includes IV's which is probably where your NM is coming from. In other words the patient already signed permission for the IV on admission. Not being knowledgeable in the legal aspects however, it seems the patient would be able to rescind that "blanket" permission, the question is would that also rescind any admission agreement? There is also a possibility the individual insurance can deny payment if some treatment is refused.

((not an OB-Gyn nurse but saw the question and worked in UR))

all the more reason to know EXACTLY what you are signing....

[justme1972]

When you sign admission papers going into the hospital, there is a "blanket" treatment patients also sign. Part of the "blanket" treatment includes IV's which is probably where your NM is coming from. In other words the patient already signed permission for the IV on admission. Not being knowledgeable in the legal aspects however, it seems the patient would be able to rescind that "blanket" permission, the question is would that also rescind any admission agreement? There is also a possibility the individual insurance can deny payment if some treatment is refused.

((not an OB-Gyn nurse but saw the question and worked in UR))

A patient, even though they have signed a consent form, can later RETRACT the consent at any point and time as long as they can make an informed decision (not under drugs, etc...same as when they gave consent).

They absolutely have the right to rescind...we just had a seminar on ethics, legalities about 3 weeks ago at our school.

[anc33]

A patient, even though they have signed a consent form, can later RETRACT the consent at any point and time as long as they can make an informed decision (not under drugs, etc...same as when they gave consent).

They absolutely have the right to rescind...we just had a seminar on ethics, legalities about 3 weeks ago at our school.

This is correct. You may also refuse any part of treatment without completely rescinding consent. Going against the patient's wishes would constitute battery in this case.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

just because they may have the right to refuse does not mean that it's smart to refuse.

[trudlebug]

just because they may have the right to refuse does not mean that it's smart to refuse.

this is where education comes in. explain to them why and the consequences of not allowing tx.

then if they still say no, make sure to document it! :typing

but i agree, forcing an alert and oriented patient is just asking for trouble later.

[cupcake25]

I am an IV nurse. When a patient who is mentally competant refuses an IV, I definitely do not put one in. I could get charged with battery.

[cvssc]

Yes, the patient can refuse treatment. Usually, when my patient and I have discussed things, they are agreeable. However, if they say no, I won't do it. I will not be charged!