Can a patient who is intoxicated, demented or in shock refuse treatment and/or transportation?
In general, a patient who is not of sound mind (e.g., demented, intoxicated, head injury, in shock) should not be allowed to refuse care since they cannot truly provide informed consent. As a rule, prehospital care providers should treat these patients until the patient’s altered mental resolves and the patient then provides informed consent to refuse care, or until a family member, health care proxy of other advanced directive such as a DNR is located and limits further care. For further information, please refer to the WREMS Refusal of Evaluation/Stabilization/Transport Policy on our Policy and Procedures page.
