Re: Informed Consent
From: ainsron (ainsron@sbcglobal.net)
Sun Sep 18 22:16:56 2005
On the serious side, since you have been using these forms in Georgia since
1989, has the use of these forms provided any relief from malpractice suits,
or are they just window dressing to keep the bean counters at the hospital,
Medicare, JCAHO and all the others who look over our collective backs
happy??
Ronald E. Ainsworth, MD, FACOG
-----Original Message-----
From: ob-gyn-l@obgyn.net [mailto:ob-gyn-l@obgyn.net] On Behalf Of Dr.
Ainsworth
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:18 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list OB-GYN-L
Subject: Re: Informed Consent
No, it said good until rescinded. 24-28 wks was when I thought about
having them sign it, I will probably give them a copy to read at 20 wks
and then discuss it the next time they come in.
(TIC)It seems like the "ideal" time to sign it is before they get
pregnant, just like any other informed consent. We should make copies
available in the high school, in the back seat of the family sedan and
in hotel/motel rooms - right next to the bible.
>You correctly identified a problem about the process. When the law took
>effect, many docs wanted to have them execute the form at the first
>visit. Imagine that--26 years old, first pregnancy, 8 weeks, maybe
>nauseated, with the only exposure to the health care system being annual
>paps for maybe 6 or 8 years. Today, you and your husband are in for
>your first visit--scared, thrilled, clueless.
>
>You get handed this form. . .
>
>Anyway, most of us have the patients review and sign at the 24 to 28
>week glucose visit, when they've got some time to waste.
>
>There was a question of how long the consent was good for, and I think
>we've added a line that says it is good until rescinded (the ones I
>emailed may be old versions--not sure anymore).
>
>Garry
>
>At Sun, 18 Sep 2005, Dr. Ainsworth wrote:
>>
>>Garry,
>>Thanks for sending the files. The only one I've reviewed so far is the
>>vaginal birth one. Pretty complete. Pretty scarey for unsophisticated
>>patients to read for the first time! At what point in pregnancy do you
>>give it to them, discuss it, sign it and send it to OB?
>>
>>>FWIW, Georgia has a pretty specific informed consent law. In 1989, the
>>>Georgia Ob/Gyn society developed specific consents from a central
>>>mandated template (as required by law) for many procedures, and most of
>>>us use them.
>>>
>>>If you wish, I can email them (probably 10 to 15 in number) privately,
>>>or put them on a CD and mail.
>>>
>>>Garry
>>>
>>>At Fri, 16 Sep 2005, Dr. Ainsworth wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I was told recently by hospital's risk management that during surveys,
>>>>CMR is now requiring documentation in the chart of a "procedure
>>>>specific" informed consent form, initiated in the doctor's office to
>>>>track the informed consent process, similar to the consent forms we are
>>>>required to give to patients for sterilization and hysterectomies. I
>>>>also heard the same information in a CME discussion from John's Hopkins.
>>>>They both concurred that no longer will it be adequate to simply
>>>>document in a progress note or H&P that "the procedure, alternatives,
>>>>risks and benefits were discussed and the patient's questions answered."
>>>>Are others getting the same directions and how are you addressing it? It
>>>>seems ludicrous for every physician in the country to reinvent this
>>>>process for every procedure. Either our medical societies or our
>>>>speciality societies should be able to produce samples of documentation
>>>>we all can use.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Garry E. Siegel, M.D.
>>>Private Practice
>>>Roswell, GA
>>>
>--
>Garry E. Siegel, M.D.
>Private Practice
>Roswell, GA
>
