What is implied consent?

Implied consent refers to a situation where a patient's agreement to receive treatment is inferred from their actions or the circumstances, rather than through explicit verbal or written permission. In the context of healthcare, this often occurs in routine situations where the patient visibly acknowledges their willingness to proceed, such as rolling up their sleeve for a blood draw without needing to verbalize consent. This type of consent is typically assumed in everyday medical interactions, as patients generally understand that certain actions, like going to a clinic or participating in a scheduled procedure, indicate their agreement to receive care.

Other options involve more formal types of consent: written consent usually pertains to procedures that have significant risk or complexity, while verbal consent is often required for major surgeries and assumes a more direct communication between patient and provider. Assumed consent in non-emergency situations might suggest an understanding of procedures that carry less risk but does not encapsulate the concept of implied consent as effectively as the actions demonstrating that a patient is willing to undergo a procedure.