Decision
Who is refusing care?
Both parent/guardian and child refuse → approach as parental refusal alone
Background
Situations in Which Both the Child and the Parents/Guardians Refuse Care
In the scenario in which both the child and parent refuse care, the same approach should be taken as parental refusal alone. When patients or their surrogate decision-makers refuse procedures, diagnostic testing, treatments, or admission, there should be thorough explanation in the record of why there is informed refusal. This documentation should include the risks involved and the mitigation strategies and options offered to the family.
Child refuses, but parent/guardian consents
Parent/guardian refuses