Does the MD just say "Get the consent?"

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Specializes in Oncolgy, telemety, Midwifery.

When I was in nursing school it was drummed into my head that the MD explains the procedure and gets the consent; I am just there to witness. After nursing school, I have never seen that. The MD will mostly just write in his orders "Get consent" and then here I go, off with a clipboard and a consent to a procedure I don't fully understand, trying to answer questions posed to me from anxious patients and families. If it's something easy like a colonoscopy, fine. But I shouldn't have to do that either should I?

The reason I'm writing this, is surgery just called and chewed me out for not using the language line (Hindu) to get the consent. The patient now says he didn't understand the procedure. Like I good nurse I took the chewing. Afterward, I started thinking about nursing school. And I won't forget either.

So what do you do? Get the consent like me, and hang your head when you've goofed against something that wasn't your job?

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Specializes in FNP.

I was never asked to obtain a consent. Surgeons always get their own consents.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

The MD should get the consent. Your nursing school was right.

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You violated your scope of practice, never ever obtain a consent for a procedure.. only MDs can, you can be the 2nd witness, and or help patient cope with anxiety included in your plan of care re; pre and post op interventions

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We also have this on our floor. In fact, I have surgeons that attempt us to get the consent before they've even talked to the patient!:eek:

I won't to it if they haven't talked to the patient. I'm sure this angers some surgeons and nurses that have to get it afterward, but I refuse to ask the question "Do you have any other questions about the procedure?" When no one has told the patient about the procedure.

I will do it if the surgeon has already spoke with the patient and they have no further questions. If they do, then I contact the MD and won't have them sign.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Whenever I obtain consent I ask If they understand what they are signing. If they understood what the doctor told them and if they have anymore questions for the doctor

I never have, and will never obtain a consent for a procedure. It's not my job nor does my license allow me to do it, you open yourself up for alot of crap should something ever go wrong.

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Specializes in family practice.

My nursing school made me understand that we could get the consent if and only if the doctor has been in to explain the procedure and what to expect. If the nurse wants to get it and the patient still have questions, dont let them sign, call the doctor to explain and get the consent.

I hope i wasnt misinformed

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Specializes in NICU.

I've gotten consent for transfer to other hospitals and immunizations, but never surgery or any other high-risk procedure...

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

The surgeon always wrsites an order for the consent, I transfer it to the form, review the form with the patient and witness the patients signature. If the patient is unclear, the consent is not signed until after the surgeon marks the patient in the pre0op room, then after the durgeon leaves, the patient signs and I witness

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Specializes in ICU.

We have a newpolicy to do safe practice there must be an order in the chart clearly stating what the consent is to say ie obtain consent for..... I ask them has the doctor spoken toYou and do you have further questions.. If they do,dont have them sign send them Onto the procedure and communicate pt did not sign due to further questions. The doctor can then explain and the procedure nurse can witness the signature.

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Specializes in tele, oncology.

I get the consents if and only if the physician has explained the procedure and they have no questions. I also let them know they can wait and sign immediately before the procedure.

Then I document in the chart..."Consent for XYZ signed by pt after discussing with MD; pt states no questions regarding procedure."

If I'm even the slightest bit uneasy about their level of understanding, or if they're unsure, it doesn't get signed..."Pt wishes to defer signing consent for XYZ until further discussion with MD."

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I was taught that this can be a license killer.....never ever do this....our job is to advocate for the patient, not for the MD......am I wrong?

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