Whose responsibility To Get Informed consent for Surgery?

[copycat]

An elderly lady with a history of alzheimers who broke her hip was admitted for surgery. The pt was admitted by th floor supervisor (not sure who took pt to unit for admission). Was later seen by surgeon who had lengthy discussion about surgery time, procedure etc. Later, lady was taken to Or by said supervisor only to realize that the consent form was not signed. The relatives by then had left the hospital. I gather doctor was upset. The son had to be called back to hospital to sign the consent. Now who do you think drop the ball.yes the person admitting and the person who transported the pt to OR should make sure the form was signed, but why didn't the doctor get the son to do it. Now the blame is on the nurses that we are iresponsible.

[marie488]

want to know if the patient has signed a consent, has surgery, the doctor wants to change some of the words on the consent to make it more precise is it legal to ask the patient after having general anesthesia but is now fully alert to sign the more precise consent before leaving that day?

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

want to know if the patient has signed a consent, has surgery, the doctor wants to change some of the words on the consent to make it more precise is it legal to ask the patient after having general anesthesia but is now fully alert to sign the more precise consent before leaving that day?

I can tell you I wouldn't witness that, that is totally against the purpose of the consent. My Opinion: To Late.

Plus, they have to wait 24 hours to be considered "Not Impaired" after a mind altering Medication is given.

I say No Way!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

want to know if the patient has signed a consent, has surgery, the doctor wants to change some of the words on the consent to make it more precise is it legal to ask the patient after having general anesthesia but is now fully alert to sign the more precise consent before leaving that day?

Why not start your own thread to ask this question instead of resurrecting a nearly 6 year old thread? You'll likely get more replies applicable to your situation if you are the original post rather than a reply on page 2.

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

Oh, Crud! I forgot to answer the original post (although I agree with the above posts)

In Policy: it is the surgeons job to get the consent signed.

In Reality: If that consent is not signed/dated/timed "t"s crossed "i"s dotted=chew and bite marks on Boston's butt