What does implied consent refer to in a medical context?

Implied consent in a medical context refers to situations where a patient's actions indicate that they agree to a treatment or procedure, even if they have not explicitly stated so verbally or in writing. For instance, if a patient presents themselves for a routine examination or a medical procedure and follows through with the actions involved, such as rolling up their sleeve for a blood draw, this behavior suggests that they consent to the care being provided.

This concept is important in healthcare because it allows for necessary medical actions to be taken promptly, particularly in situations where obtaining explicit consent may not be feasible, such as emergencies. Patients generally understand that by engaging in routine medical visits and actions, they are giving their consent implicitly. Additionally, implied consent is widely accepted for procedures that are understood to have low risk and for which the patient has a reasonable expectation of the benefits.