[Proposal of a common model for informed consent for interventional procedures in congenital heart disease patients]

Massimo Chessa1, Gabriella Agnoletti2, Ilaria Amici3

  • 1Unità di Cardiologia del Congenito Adulto, Centro di Cardiologia Pediatrica e del Congenito Adulto, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese (MI) - Università Vita Salute San Raffaele, Milano.

Giornale Italiano Di Cardiologia (2006)
|June 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A new informed consent form for interventional procedures in congenital cardiology was developed by physicians and jurists. This standardized document aims to improve patient care and meet new legal requirements for congenital heart disease centers.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Law
  • Patient Advocacy

Background:

  • A multidisciplinary group of physicians and jurists convened to address informed consent for common interventional procedures in congenital heart disease.
  • Existing consent processes required review and standardization to meet current medical and legal expectations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and approve a comprehensive informed consent document for frequent interventional procedures in pediatric cardiology.
  • To ensure the informed consent process aligns with evolving legal standards and patient needs.

Main Methods:

  • Collaboration between physicians from the Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease (SICP) and legal experts in health case-law.
  • Consultation with major Italian centers performing congenital interventional procedures and the Italian Patients Association of Congenital Heart Diseases (AICCA).

Main Results:

  • A finalized informed consent form was created, comprising a general statement and a procedure-specific section.
  • The developed form is suitable for direct use or adaptation by individual centers.

Conclusions:

  • The multidisciplinary effort, supervised by SICP, yielded a novel informed consent for congenital cardiology interventions, addressing legal requirements.
  • Standardized or harmonized informed consent forms across Congenital Heart Disease Centers are proposed to enhance patient and family care.
Abstract