59MDWI51-302 governs Air Force policy and procedures for informed consent in medical treatment and surgical procedures.
View 59MDWI51-302 on armypubs.army.mil
It addresses written consent forms, consent documentation, surrogate consent for incapacitated adults, emergency care, and the duration of effective consent. It requires specific disclosures, records, forms, and renewed consent when specified conditions change.
Applies to: This instruction applies to all personnel assigned, attached, or under contract to the 59 MDW, except for personnel working at the Brooke Army Medical Center.
As prescribed by Texas State Law and AFI 44-102, Medical Care Management, the treating healthcare provider (this includes a resident or fellow with the oversight of the attending provider) is responsible for obtaining and documenting informed consent. (paragraph 1)
Air Force policy allows each military treatment facility (MTF) to determine which procedures do and do not require documentation of informed consent in light of standard medical practice and relevant state laws. (paragraph 2)
If practitioners comply, there is a presumption that the legal duty to provide informed consent has been satisfied. (paragraph 2)
A reasonably diligent inquiry must be made to locate the highest priority surrogate before a lower priority surrogate may give consent. (paragraph 8)
59 MDW’s policy is that written patient consent forms are valid for 60 days provided the patient’s condition, the type of procedure and the risks do not change. (paragraph 7)