Patients who are mentally capable of making decisions are able to refuse medical care, even if the consequences of the refusal of care may be potentially harmful or even deadly.

 

• The EMS employee shall ensure that the patient understands the contents of the waiver and is aware of the potential consequences of refusing medical treatment or transport.
• If possible, the patient should be advised of said consequences in front of a witness.
• Any non-emancipated minor who is between their sixteenth and eighteenth birthday may consent to health services, but may not refuse.
• A minor who is married, pregnant (or has been pregnant), or independently living away from home may refuse treatment and/or transport.
• Refusals of care and/or transport should be well documented in the PCR.

 

• Waiver Rules

 

• E — Educate
• I  — Inform
• O -- Offer Transport
• U — Understand: Validate Understanding

 

• The EMS Refusal Documentation Process:

 

• C.A.S.E  C.L.O.S.E.D

 

• Patient Refusal Narrative Documentation:

 

• C = Condition, Capacity, and Competency
• A = Assessment
• S = Statements Made by the Patient
• E = Educate
• C = Consequences
• L = Limitations of EMS
• O = Offer Transport
• S = Signatures and Initials
• E = Educational Material
• D = Dial 911 Again