Refusal of treatment for reasons of religion or conscience

This code signifies a patient's decision to decline recommended medical interventions due to deeply held personal beliefs, whether religious or ethical. It indicates that the patient's refusal is a conscious and informed choice based on their moral or spiritual convictions, rather than a lack of understanding or capacity.

This code is appropriate when a patient explicitly states their refusal of a specific treatment, procedure, or medication, and attributes this decision to their religious tenets or personal conscience. Examples include a Jehovah's Witness refusing a blood transfusion or a patient declining life-sustaining treatment based on their philosophical beliefs.

• Always document the patient's explicit statement of refusal and the stated reason (religion or conscience).
• This code is typically used as a secondary diagnosis to provide context for the patient's care plan or lack thereof.
• Do not use this code if the refusal is due to fear, financial constraints, or a simple preference for an alternative treatment without a stated religious or conscientious basis.