Patients generally have the right to accept or refuse health care.
Some care is necessary for a patient’s health. Other care is optional. The age and mental abilities of a patient can have an impact what types of care – necessary or optional − the patient can agree to.
This article explains what care is considered necessary for a patient’s health and what care is considered to be optional.
Optional Care
Here are examples of care considered not necessary for a patient’s health:
- tattoos
- plastic surgery, unless it is needed due to burns, a birth defect or an accident
Care Necessary for a Patient’s Health
There are many kinds of care that can fall into in this category. Here are some examples:
- hospitalization
- medication
- plastic surgery needed following burns, a birth defect or an accident
- feeding
- blood tests
- abortion