What is the purpose of the Authorization clause on an informed consent form?

• A. To permit the healthcare provider to perform the procedure
• B. To list alternatives
• C. To attest patient understanding
• D. To authorize tissue disposal

Answer: (A)

The Authorization clause is where the patient gives explicit permission for the procedure to be carried out by the healthcare team. It is the formal grant of consent that authorizes the clinician and the facility to perform the planned intervention, based on the description, risks, and benefits that were disclosed. This clause is about giving legal authority to proceed, not about listing alternatives or confirming understanding—that role belongs to other parts of the consent form. It also has nothing to do with tissue disposal, which is unrelated to consenting to the procedure itself. In short, this clause establishes that the patient authorizes the procedure to go ahead.