The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) regarding informed consent in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The letter clarifies the process for obtaining informed consent for psychotherapeutic drugs, physical restraints, or prolonged use of a device that may lead to the inability to regain use of a normal bodily function. SNFs must verify that the patient's health records contain documentation of informed consent for the ordered treatment. The prescribing healthcare professional must obtain the patient's informed consent and place the documentation in the patient's medical record. SNFs can comply by verifying that informed consent has been obtained and ensuring documentation is in the patient's medical record or obtaining new informed consent and placing the documentation in the patient's medical record. The letter also includes revised questions and answers to include physician assistants in the informed consent process.

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