Consent Policies
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Consent Policy
Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital recognises that every competent patient has the right to participate in decisions regarding their medical care. Obtaining valid and informed consent before medical examination, investigation, treatment or surgical intervention is a fundamental principle of ethical medical practice and patient-centred healthcare.
This Consent Policy has been developed with reference to recognised Indian legal principles, applicable healthcare laws and professional medical ethics, including Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the National Medical Commission (Registered Medical Practitioner – Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023, the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 (where applicable), the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (where applicable), and the principles established by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Samira Kohli vs. Dr. Prabha Manchanda (2008), together with the patient rights and informed consent principles promoted under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) Standards.
The Hospital is committed to ensuring that consent is obtained voluntarily, without coercion, after providing patients or their authorised representatives with appropriate information regarding the proposed treatment, its benefits, reasonably foreseeable risks, available alternatives and the possible consequences of declining treatment.
Purpose of this Policy
The purpose of this policy is to establish a transparent, ethical and legally informed framework for obtaining valid consent before medical care, thereby protecting patient autonomy, promoting informed decision-making and supporting safe clinical practice.
This policy aims to ensure that patients receive sufficient information to understand the nature of the proposed treatment, expected benefits, potential risks, available alternatives and possible outcomes before making healthcare decisions.
Patient Choice
Respecting every patient's right to make informed healthcare decisions.
Clear Information
Providing understandable explanations before obtaining consent.
Ethical Practice
Promoting professional responsibility and patient rights.
Valid Consent
Ensuring consent is voluntary, informed and appropriately documented.
Scope of this Policy
This policy applies to all patients receiving healthcare services at Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital, including outpatient, inpatient, day-care and emergency services, and to all doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals involved in obtaining consent for medical examinations, investigations, procedures and treatment.
The policy applies to informed consent for consultations, diagnostic procedures, medical treatment, surgery, anaesthesia, blood transfusions, invasive procedures and other clinical interventions requiring patient consent in accordance with applicable law and accepted medical practice.
"Informed consent is founded on mutual trust, effective communication, patient autonomy and respect for individual healthcare decisions."
Our Commitment to Informed Consent
Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital is committed to obtaining informed consent before performing medical procedures, investigations or treatments, except where immediate emergency intervention is permitted under applicable law and accepted medical practice.
Our Consent Commitment
We believe that informed consent is a process of communication, understanding and shared decision-making. Our healthcare professionals are committed to providing patients with accurate, balanced and understandable information so they can make voluntary and informed decisions regarding their medical care, consistent with recognised Indian legal principles, professional ethics and our ongoing commitment towards future NABH accreditation.
What is Informed Consent?
Informed consent is a process through which a patient, or where legally appropriate an authorised representative, voluntarily agrees to a proposed medical examination, investigation, procedure or treatment after receiving sufficient information to make an informed decision.
Consent is considered valid only when it is given freely, voluntarily and by a person who has the legal capacity to make healthcare decisions. Consent should be obtained without coercion, undue influence, fraud or misrepresentation.
Principle of Informed Consent
Informed consent is more than obtaining a signature. It is a process of communication that promotes patient understanding, autonomy and shared decision-making between the patient and the treating healthcare professional.
Information Provided Before Consent
Before obtaining informed consent, the treating medical practitioner shall explain the proposed treatment or procedure in language that is reasonably understandable to the patient or authorised representative, allowing sufficient opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification.
Information Normally Explained
- Diagnosis or suspected medical condition.
- Purpose of the proposed treatment or procedure.
- Expected benefits.
- Reasonably foreseeable risks and complications.
- Available alternative treatment options.
- Likely outcome if treatment is declined.
- Expected recovery process where applicable.
- Opportunity to ask questions before giving consent.
Shared Decision-Making
Our healthcare professionals encourage open communication and ensure that patients have adequate opportunity to understand their treatment options before making healthcare decisions.
Types of Consent
Depending upon the nature of the medical examination, investigation or treatment, different forms of consent may be appropriate in accordance with accepted medical practice and applicable legal requirements.
Types of Consent Recognised
- Implied Consent: Consent inferred from a patient's actions for routine examinations and non-invasive care.
- Express Verbal Consent: Spoken agreement for appropriate low-risk procedures where written consent is not required.
- Written Consent: Documented consent for surgery, invasive procedures, anaesthesia, blood transfusions and other significant interventions.
- Informed Consent: Consent given after receiving adequate information regarding benefits, risks, alternatives and expected outcomes.
- Proxy or Representative Consent: Consent provided by a legally authorised representative where permitted by law.
- Consent for Minors: Obtained from a parent or legally authorised guardian in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
- Emergency Consent: Emergency treatment may proceed without prior consent where immediate intervention is necessary to prevent death or serious harm and consent cannot reasonably be obtained.
Emergency Treatment Without Prior Consent
In exceptional circumstances where a patient is unconscious, lacks decision-making capacity or is otherwise unable to provide consent, and immediate medical intervention is necessary to preserve life or prevent serious harm, emergency treatment may be initiated in accordance with accepted medical practice, the National Medical Commission (Registered Medical Practitioner – Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023, applicable Indian law and the principles recognised by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
Wherever reasonably practicable, the Hospital shall make appropriate efforts to communicate with the patient's legally authorised representative or family member as soon as circumstances permit. Any emergency treatment provided without prior consent shall be appropriately documented in the patient's medical record.
"Emergency medical care intended to preserve life or prevent serious harm shall not be unreasonably delayed solely because formal consent cannot immediately be obtained."
Consent for Surgery, Anaesthesia & High-Risk Procedures
Written informed consent shall normally be obtained before performing surgical procedures, administration of anaesthesia, blood or blood component transfusions, invasive diagnostic procedures and other significant medical interventions requiring specific patient authorisation.
Prior to obtaining consent, the treating doctor shall explain the nature of the proposed procedure, expected benefits, reasonably foreseeable risks, possible complications, available alternatives and anticipated recovery, allowing the patient sufficient opportunity to ask questions.
Written Consent Required For
- Major and minor surgical procedures.
- Anaesthesia.
- Blood and blood component transfusions.
- Endoscopic and invasive procedures.
- High-risk diagnostic interventions.
- Other procedures requiring written consent under Hospital policy or applicable law.
Informed Decision-Making
Consent is obtained only after the patient has received appropriate information and has voluntarily agreed to proceed without coercion or undue influence.
Refusal or Withdrawal of Consent
A competent patient has the right to refuse or withdraw consent for a proposed examination, investigation, procedure or treatment, subject to applicable legal requirements and recognised exceptions under Indian law.
Where a patient refuses or withdraws consent, the treating medical practitioner shall explain the reasonably foreseeable consequences of such a decision. The patient's decision shall be respected and appropriately documented in the medical record wherever applicable.
"Patients have the right to make informed healthcare decisions, including the right to decline recommended treatment after receiving appropriate medical advice."
Consent for Minors & Patients Unable to Decide
Where a patient is a minor or lacks the legal or clinical capacity to make healthcare decisions, consent shall be obtained from a parent, legally authorised guardian or other person authorised under applicable Indian law, except where emergency treatment is necessary to preserve life or prevent serious harm.
Decisions relating to patients with impaired decision-making capacity shall be managed in accordance with applicable legal requirements, recognised ethical principles and, where relevant, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Documentation, Record Keeping & Confidentiality
All consent forms and related records shall be maintained accurately, securely and confidentially in accordance with applicable legal requirements, recognised professional standards and the Hospital's record management policies.
Documentation shall include the nature of the proposed treatment or procedure, confirmation that relevant information was explained, the patient's questions (where applicable), the consent provided, and the identity of the person obtaining consent.
Record Management
Proper documentation supports continuity of care, patient safety, medico-legal compliance, accountability and quality improvement while protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.
Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Every patient has the right to participate in decisions relating to their healthcare. Patients are encouraged to actively engage in the consent process by seeking clarification whenever required and providing complete and accurate information to the treating healthcare team.
Hospital Responsibilities
Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital is committed to ensuring that the consent process is ethical, transparent, patient-centred and compliant with recognised medical standards. Healthcare professionals shall obtain valid consent before undertaking procedures requiring consent, except where immediate emergency treatment is permitted under applicable law.
Hospital Commitments
- Provide clear explanations before obtaining consent.
- Respect patient dignity, autonomy and privacy.
- Maintain properly documented consent records.
- Protect confidential patient information.
- Ensure healthcare professionals follow recognised ethical practices.
- Provide ongoing education regarding informed consent procedures.
Ethical Medical Practice
Our Hospital promotes respectful communication, shared decision-making, professional accountability and ethical clinical practice while safeguarding patient rights throughout the consent process.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital regularly reviews consent practices through clinical audits, patient feedback, staff education and quality improvement initiatives to ensure that the consent process remains effective, patient-centred and aligned with recognised healthcare standards.
Quality Commitment
Continuous monitoring and improvement of informed consent practices help strengthen patient trust, improve communication and enhance patient safety as part of the Hospital's ongoing quality improvement programme.
Policy Review
This Consent Policy shall be reviewed periodically by Hospital Management to ensure continued compliance with applicable Indian laws, recognised medical ethics, professional standards and evolving best practices in informed consent.
"Effective informed consent is built upon communication, trust, patient autonomy and professional responsibility."
Contact Information
Patients, attendants or authorised representatives who require clarification regarding informed consent, treatment decisions or this policy may contact the Hospital using the details below.
Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital
Address:
No. 5/91, Near Apollo Hospital OMR,
Church Road, Perungudi,
Chennai – 600096, Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone: +91 98407 92932
Email: contactus@slmsh.com
Regulatory & Standards Reference
This Consent Policy has been developed with reference to applicable Indian laws, recognised judicial principles, professional medical ethics and healthcare quality standards. These frameworks guide the Hospital's approach to informed consent, patient autonomy, ethical medical practice and responsible healthcare governance.
Applicable Indian Laws & Judicial Principles
- Article 21 of the Constitution of India (Right to Life & Personal Liberty).
- Indian Contract Act, 1872 (principles relating to free and valid consent).
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- National Medical Commission (Registered Medical Practitioner – Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023.
- Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 (where applicable).
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (where applicable).
- Samira Kohli vs. Dr. Prabha Manchanda (2008) – Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
- Applicable Central and State Government healthcare regulations.
Quality & Professional Standards
- NABH Standards – Patient Rights & Education.
- NABH Standards – Access, Assessment & Continuity of Care (AAC).
- NABH Standards – Care of Patients (COP).
- NABH Standards – Information Management System (IMS).
- NABH Standards – Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
- Clinical Governance and Ethical Medical Practice Principles.
"Sri Lakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital is committed to obtaining informed consent through open communication, respect for patient autonomy and ethical medical practice, in accordance with recognised Indian healthcare laws, judicial principles, professional standards and our ongoing journey towards future NABH accreditation."