Ohio Informed Consents

U.S.A. Ohio

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Can a nurse sign an informed consent for procedures including blood transfusion or is it the responsibility of the doctor only?? I am asking at a legal standpoint. It doesnt seem like its a good idea. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Informed consent is the physician's responsibility to explain.

The nurse, makes sure the form is signed. If you read the form, it clearly states that Dr. so-and-so explained the risks, benefits, etc.

The nurse is only a witness of the facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi. Good for you that you are asking questions about any legal concerns! I agree with the other writer that the nurse signs as a witness to patient consent--no problem. A good resource for legal questions is usually the nursing supervisor on your shift---if she does not know , she can call the lawyer who is associated with your facility . TIP---appropriate timing of consent forms is before the procedure ---long ago an intern asked me to get a patient to sign a consent form after he had given her some IV sedative in prep for an amniocentesis because he forgot to get the form signed---to protect myself legally, I calmly told him it would be best if he signed as witness to the consent form! Best wishes to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Hi. Good for you that you are asking questions about any legal concerns! I agree with the other writer that the nurse signs as a witness to patient consent--no problem. A good resource for legal questions is usually the nursing supervisor on your shift---if she does not know , she can call the lawyer who is associated with your facility . TIP---appropriate timing of consent forms is before the procedure ---long ago an intern asked me to get a patient to sign a consent form after he had given her some IV sedative in prep for an amniocentesis because he forgot to get the form signed---to protect myself legally, I calmly told him it would be best if he signed as witness to the consent form! Best wishes to you!

You do realize that the consent was not valid, even if you had 100 witnesses.

Once you administer the sedative...that is it. Anything you signed can be questioned by the patient, as well as a good attorney, in the event there is a question.

That is consent-obtaining 101.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment