It is sometimes tempting to perform a procedure under consent given by a patient with diminished capacity when the patient agrees to what the physicians think is the best course of action.
However, this is not proper informed consent.
At a later time, this may become a medico-legal problem if there are complications or if family members question the need for the procedure for other reasons.
When patients have impaired decisional capacity, take whatever time is needed to locate an appropriate surrogate decision-maker.
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- Take time to find surrogate decision-maker
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