An Analysis of Processes and Strategies Used by Qualified Nurses in Assessing the Mental Capacity of Acutely and Critically Ill Hospitalised Adult Patients

Abstract

Mental capacity is the ability to understand, reason, and exercise choice by making informed decisions. Acute and/or critical illness may impact upon the decision making abilities of hospitalised adult patients. Assessment of patients for reduced, fluctuating or absent capacity gives the healthcare team the legal authority to assess best interests and to make treatment decisions without consent under this justification. Qualified nurses are the everpresent professional group in acute and critical care settings. They may initiate assessments of mental capacity which may be influential in the ways that the decision making of patients is facilitated or substituted. There are, however, few studies that focus on processes employed by them in this area in fast-moving clinical settings, although it is recognised that physical illness may have a significant impact upon capacity status.

Date of Award	2016
Original language	English
Supervisor	Joyce Kenkre (Supervisor) & Paul Gill (Supervisor)