What action should be taken if a patient is refusing care but is still competent?

In situations where a patient is refusing care but is deemed competent, the appropriate action involves documenting the refusal and ensuring that the patient is fully informed of the consequences of their decision. This ensures that the patient's rights are respected while also providing a record of the encounter for legal and medical purposes. Documentation is critical because it protects both the responder and the patient, creating a clear account of the interaction and the patient's decision-making process.

When a patient is competent, they have the legal right to refuse care, and therefore, it is essential to acknowledge their autonomy. Simply leaving the scene after documenting the refusal ensures that you are not intervening against the patient's wishes while also protecting yourself from potential liability.

While attempting to convince the patient to accept care or contacting law enforcement might seem like good options, they are generally not appropriate if the patient is competent and fully understands their situation. Providing medical advice without the patient's consent could also be seen as overstepping their autonomy and goes against the principles of informed consent.