The ED nurse is caring for an 11-year-old brought in by ambulance after having been hit by a car. The childs parents are thought to be en route to the hospital but have not yet arrived. No other family members are present and attempts to contact the parents have been unsuccessful. The child needs emergency surgery to save her life. How should the need for informed consent be addressed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In an emergency, it may be necessary for the surgeon to operate as a lifesaving measure without the patients informed consent. However, every effort must be made to contact the patients family. In such a situation, contact can be made by electronic means. In this scenario, the surgery is considered lifesaving, and the parents are on their way to the hospital and not available. A delay would be unacceptable.
Neither a social worker nor a member of the ethics committee may sign.

The ED Nurse Is Caring for an 11-Year-Old Brought in by Ambulance