In the event we cannot get consent from a patient, their spouse, guardian or other legal entity, we have had the ordering physician, typically their dialysis Nephrologist that ordered the procedure, and the Interventional Nephrologist who is going to perform the procedure discuss the situation, decide it was in the patient's best interest to have the procedure performed and sign the consent.

I have looked online for emergency consent guidelines however most deal with blood transfusions, minors and don't relate to our situation.  I have found this verbage on several documents:

An emergency must meet all of the following criteria:

a) The patient's life or health must be in immediate and substantial danger.

b) The patient is incapable of consenting.

c) Any potential risks associated with the treatment are materially outweighed by the

potential benefits associated with treatment.

So my question is what do you do in these situations? 

How many signatures do you require on your consent forms if any?

Do you have any P&P's you would be willing to share?

Thank you in advance for your help,

Nicole Davis