Wisconsin Administrative Code
Optometry Examining Board
Chapter Opt 5 - Unprofessional Conduct
Section Opt 5.045 - Informed Consent

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง Opt 5.045

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) Any optometrist who treats a patient shall inform the patient about the availability of reasonable alternate modes of treatment and about the benefits and risks of these treatments. The reasonable optometrist standard is the standard for informing a patient under this section. The reasonable optometrist standard requires disclosure only of information that a reasonable optometrist would know and disclose under the circumstances.

(2) The optometrist's duty to inform the patient under this section does not require disclosure of any of the following:

(a) Detailed technical information that in all probability a patient would not understand.

(b) Risks apparent or known to the patient.

(c) Extremely remote possibilities that might falsely or detrimentally alarm the patient.

(d) Information in emergencies where failure to provide treatment would be more harmful to the patient than treatment.

(e) Information in cases where the patient is incapable of consenting.

(f) Information about alternate modes of treatment for any condition the optometrist has not included in his or her diagnosis at the time the optometrist informs the patient.

(3) If the patient is a minor or incompetent, the patient's parent or legal guardian shall be informed of all disclosures required under sub. (1).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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