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Written consent - a prospective audit of practices for ENT patients
N H Berry1, J S Phillips, M A Salam
1Department of Otolaryngology, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK.
Introduction:
It is very important that patients are given sufficient time to consider the implications of surgical treatment.
Patients And Methods:
The authors audited the consenting practices for patients undergoing surgery in a busy ENT unit.
Results:
The first cycle demonstrated that 15% of patients were providing written consent for surgery on the same day as their operation. Subsequent to a simple change in departmental policy, this was reduced to 2%. The medicolegal implications of this audit are discussed with reference to current recommendations.
Conclusions:
This simple policy change not only protects the hospital trust from potential litigation but also provides a smooth journey for the patients from diagnosis to making the decision to operate and finally to undergoing surgery.
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