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Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Appropriate medical care for a child or adolescent with an urgent or emergent condition should never be withheld or delayed because of problems with obtaining consent, according to a policy statement issued by the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Consent for Emergency Medical Services for Children and Adolescents" appears in the March 2003 issue of Pediatrics.

Children and adolescents frequently seek medical treatment in emergency departments (ED) unaccompanied by a legal guardian. Current state and federal laws and medical ethics recommendations support the ED treatment of these persons with an identified emergency medical condition, regardless of consent issues. The AAP believes financial reimbursement should not limit the patient's access to emergency medical care or result in a breach of patient confidentiality. Health care professionals should be familiar with federal and state regulations regarding consent for treatment of children. In addition, the AAP recommends all clinics, office practices, and EDs develop written policies for treatment of unaccompanied children and adolescents, and document all discussions related to obtaining consent.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group