Patient refusing treatment

Question 1

You are the IMT 1 on-call covering the busy acute medical unit. One of the nurses has asked you to come and see a patient who is refusing to take her antibiotics. The patient was admitted earlier with a urine infection and is known to have mild cognitive impairment. They appear increasingly agitated about the medication.

Answer 1

find out more information, including when and why the patient was admitted,
what antibiotics they have been started on and if they had any issues with taking medications before.

check their medical notes and consult with the nurse to understand the importance of the medication and whether SEE IF THERE ARE ANY ALTERNATIVES

sit down with the patient and ask them why

Question 2

In this scenario, you assess the patient’s capacity and decide that they do not have the capacity to make decisions about their medication. What next steps would you take?

Answer 2

I would look for a way to give the medication with the patient’s consent. This could be by allowing the patient to calm down or using a family member or friend to try and help give the patient the medication

in order to give the medication, it may be necessary to give it covertly or via an IV cannula,

In this scenario, completing a Deprivation of Liberties Safeguard (DOLS) form is important before initiating this medication.

would carefully document all decisions taken within the patient’s medical notes.