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Table 3 Reasons given for not discussing treatment with patients or next of kin dependant of capacity to consent. Responses from both nursing homes and hospitals

From: Involvement in decisions about intravenous treatment for nursing home patients: nursing homes versus hospital wards

Reasons for not discussing treatment with patients that have the capacity to consent

 Medical

  Admission was necessary

  Patient was somnolent

  Patient suddenly got worse and was not possible to get through to /communicate with

  Patient does not communicate well due to reduced speech

 Practical

  Commenced treatment after telephone conversation with patient’s doctor

  The doctor did not have time

  Treatment was discussed with next of kin

Reasons for not discussing treatment with next of kin of patient’s who lack the capacity to consent:

 Medical

  All treatment should be tried

  We had to start treatment. We informed them afterwards

  Obviously necessary and correct to start treatment

 Practical

  Next of kin not easily contacted

  Patient did not have close next of kin

  Treatment was prescribed by physician by telephone