104. Mass. Code Regs. 27.10. - Treatment

“Treatment”
 
Informed consent means the knowing consent, voluntarily given by the patient, or his or her legally authorized representative, who can understand and weigh the risks and benefits of the particular treatment being proposed.
A patient has the right to refuse treatment. Treatment with antipsychotic medication, Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT), psychosurgery, involuntary sterilization or abortion, and other highly intrusive or high risk interventions may not be administered or performed without the patient's specific informed consent. In the case of a patient being incapable of giving informed consent, such interventions may not be administered or performed without prior review and approval by a court of competent jurisdiction or the consent of his or her legally authorized representative. If a patient is believed to be incompetent to give informed consent to treatment with antipsychotic medication, the right to refuse such medication may be overridden prior to an adjudication of incompetence and court approval of a treatment plan only in rare circumstances to prevent an immediate, substantial and irreversible deterioration of the patient's mental illness.  Electroconvulsive treatment shall not be administered to any patient under the age of 16 unless the Commissioner or designee concurs. Treatment plans shall be written and consented to be the patient.