Define "informed consent" in the context of patient safety.

Informed consent is fundamentally a process that ensures patients willingly agree to medical procedures or treatments after being fully informed about the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. This concept is vital in patient safety as it empowers individuals to make educated decisions regarding their healthcare. By engaging in this process, healthcare providers facilitate communication, allowing patients to understand what to expect and to consider the implications of their choices in a healthcare setting.

This approach helps to mitigate risks associated with misunderstandings about treatments and reinforces the patient's autonomy, ensuring they are not just passive recipients of care but active participants in their health decisions. Through informed consent, patients can weigh the pros and cons based on their preferences, values, and unique health situations, ultimately leading to enhanced trust in the healthcare system and improved outcomes.