Terms Used In Florida Statutes 458.325

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • minor: includes any person who has not attained the age of 18 years. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • Physician: means a person who is licensed to practice medicine in this state. See Florida Statutes 458.305

(1) In each case of utilization of electroconvulsive or psychosurgical procedures, prior written consent shall be obtained after disclosure to the patient, if he or she is competent, or to the patient’s guardian, if he or she is a minor or incompetent, of the purpose of the procedure, the common side effects thereof, alternative treatment modalities, and the approximate number of such procedures considered necessary and that any consent given may be revoked by the patient or the patient’s guardian prior to or between treatments.
(2) Before convulsive therapy or psychosurgery may be administered, the patient’s treatment record shall be reviewed and the proposed convulsive therapy or psychosurgery agreed to by one other physician not directly involved with the patient. Such agreement shall be documented in the patient’s treatment record and shall be signed by both physicians.