This bill proposes updates to the informed consent process for surgical procedures as outlined in Arizona Revised Statutes. Under the new provisions, informed consent must be obtained by licensed health professionals, specifically physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants, and must include their signatures, the patient's or surrogate decision maker's signature, a witness signature if required by facility policy, and the date of consent. This adds clarity to the current law regarding who must sign the consent form and emphasizes the importance of documentation in the consent process.

Additionally, the bill introduces a provision for situations where a patient or their surrogate decision maker is physically unable to sign the consent. In such cases, a witness is required to verify that the patient or surrogate indicated their intent to consent to the procedure. The bill also defines "surgical procedure" to encompass various medical interventions, including the correction of deformities, repair of injuries, and diagnosis or treatment of diseases. These updates aim to enhance patient rights and ensure proper consent protocols are followed in surgical settings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-3228.01