OR consent

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A question regarding Consent for surgery..Can a wife sign the consent for the husband who is able to sign his own consent? Any input is appreciated..Thank you!

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Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

No. If the husband is legally competent, he should sign his own consent. The wife would generally not have legal standing to sign the consent on behalf of the husband, unless he specifically delegated authority to do so. It is possible for someone to delegate a power of attorney for healthcare that is in effect even if the delegating party is competent. I need to see the paperwork in those instances, though.

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Thank you!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

The only time I've seen a spouse sign for a competent patient was when we had a patient with bilateral broken wrists- obviously, couldn't hold a pen. However, we kind of did it as a dual consent- written as a verbal consent from the patient with a cosign by the spouse.

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It is always best to consult legal to make sure you are doing things correctly in your state. In the end, if there are problems, it will be you who is responsible.

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

Whatever your policy states is the rule you need to follow.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.

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