MDs should obtain & have patients sign consent

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi,

I have a problem with our hospital asking us to get a patient to sign a consent for a proceddure . We are constantly having to clarify or call an MD because we are never sure what the patient has been told or if the patient understands. Many patients are Hispanic and need interpreters. We are being told that the forms are not filled out right. Why do we have to do the MDs job? Does anyone feel the same way? Is there anyone who works in a hospital where the MDs obtain consent and have the patient sign the consent. I would appreciate feedback

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I have never seen a doc obtain a consent unless the consent was signed in the doc's office, but I do insist that the doc talk with the pt before I go in with the consent. I ask what the pt understands is going to be the procedure and if they have any questions. If what they think the procedure is, is different than what is on the consent, I stop and call the doc. If they have any questions I stop and call the doc.

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the physician, and only the physician is to obtain consent. the one doing the mentioned procedure is liable in a court of law for that.

never, ever, ever, ever, ever,ever, ever, ever, obtain consent.

ever.

did i say never too.

NEVER!

you may be the witness ONLY.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

All our docs in the PICU do the consenting.

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Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

I have never seen a doctor at my hospital get the consent signed on the floor.

Before getting consent, I will ask the patient if the doctor explained the procedure - risks & benefits. If they have any questions that I am unable to answer or if they have the slightest bit of hesitation - I will tell them to wait to sign the consent until they speak with the doctor again.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Riley,

N.O. There should be a place for the doc to sign and for you to sign ONLY AS A WITNESS!! The provider performing the procedure is responsible for this. I strongly suggest that administration at your hospital address this policy ASAP. This practice leaves the nurse wide open for legal issues.

ebear

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Specializes in LTC, med-surg, critial care.

Gah, I get so many verbal orders for "Please get consent for XYZ procedure..." Dude, you haven't even been in the room. You weren't even in house when the patient got admitted from the ED, you just looked at the x-ray and called me. Frustrating.

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All of our MD's get their own consents. Every once in a blue moon, we might have a situation where we need to get consent (usually for a blood transfusion) but otherwise it's all them. Besides, it's THEIR job to obtain consent. YOUR job is to make sure the consent is signed!

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Docs should have the consent signed. You aren't doing the procedure, you won't be there when its being done, you therefore can't gain informed consent. Its illegal here.

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.
I have never seen a doctor at my hospital get the consent signed on the floor.

Before getting consent, I will ask the patient if the doctor explained the procedure - risks & benefits. If they have any questions that I am unable to answer or if they have the slightest bit of hesitation - I will tell them to wait to sign the consent until they speak with the doctor again.

THis what occurs at my hospital. I don't have them sign unless the Doctor has spoken to them first. Usually if a doctor is asking for the consent to be signed he has spoken to them, note i said usually.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

That is a huge no no. You all that are getting consent need to go to your risk management and address this. Only the doc or service doing the procedure is to get permits! In some institutions advanced practice nurses can get permits and have the attending co sign, but staff nurses should never, ever get informed consent.

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I have never seen docs get their own consents at any job I have had all over the country. The nurses take the consent in, tell the pt "here is the consent for your procedure, read it over and I'll back when you are ready to sign it". Pt reads, pt signs, nurse witnesses. If pt says he doesn't have a clue what is going on, doc is called and told pt won't be signing consent until doc comes back in to speak with him. And like I said, this has been everywhere I've ever been over many years.

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