bubblern90

The second option you laid out most accurately describes. Neither the MD or the NOK are in person at the time of when nursing is supposed to call and ask if they have been consented by the MD.

The problem is that I'm not witnessing a signature because it's interactions done over the phone. The nurse signature on the consent paperwork is essentially a stand in for the patient or NOK signature. The charge nurse told me I'm supposed to call family ask them if the procedure was explained and if they say yes then I'm supposed to sign saying informed consent was provided despite myself not being present for the conversation between NOK and the MD

Nurses are supposed to sign as a witness to the informed consent. I've come across this issue twice now one for OR for an ex lap and one for an EGD. I have no idea why the doc can't do it, as the House Sup told me: "that's how we do things here".

Hi all- I'm new to the hospital I'm currently working at in CA and I've had an issue with the way this place does next of kin consents. A lot of the doctors will call a family member on their own time, then put in an order for RN to get consent, at which point it is then the nurse's job to call the NOK and ask them that the MD spoke to them about surgery and if they have any questions and then have a second RN there to verify. I got in some trouble because I didn't feel like this was adequate consenting as I wouldn't know the appropriate questions to ask or answers to expect to ensure NOK knows the risks/ benefits/ other options and it feels wrong to put my name on a legally binding document saying I was witness to something I wasn't present for. I got a lot of heat from the House Sup and Charge Nurse telling me I couldn't refuse to do it and them going to other nurses and asking them how they do it to "prove" it's okay. I just want to know am I out of line or saving my license? Thanks!