Mental Capacity Assessments for COVID-19 Patients: Emergency Admissions and the CARD Approach

J Bioeth Inq. 2020 Dec;17(4):803-808. doi: 10.1007/s11673-020-10055-2. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

The doctrine of consent (or informed consent, as it is called in North America) is built upon presumptions of mental capacity. Those presumptions must be tested according to legal rules that may be difficult to apply to COVID-19 patients during emergency presentations. We examine the principles of mental capacity and make recommendations on how to assess the capacity of COVID-19 patients to consent to emergency medical treatment. We term this the CARD approach (Comprehend, Appreciate, Reason, and Decide).

Keywords: COVID-19; Capacity; Consent; Emergency admission.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Critical Care*
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent*
  • Mental Competency*
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Admission*
  • SARS-CoV-2