Page 98 - Registrar Orientation Manual 2016

Document reference:
1969
Effective date:
30 Mar 2010
Expiry date:
01 Jun 2013
Page:
6 of 24
Title:
Informed consent
Type:
Policy
Version:
03
Authorising initials:
details of each option include risks, expected benefits, costs and
any alternatives to the particular treatment proposed
- the consequences of not accepting the recommended option
- when they might expect to receive the service.
 Honest and accurate answers to all of the consumer’s questions shall be given, including:
- questions about how to obtain a second opinion
- the provider’s recommended option and why they recommend it
- the name and position of the person providing the service as
soon as it is known.
 Pre-prepared written information about the proposed service must be in plain English.
 If there is no pre-prepared information and the patient wishes to have a written summary of the information it must be provided.
2. Whenisinformedconsentrequired?
 The patient’s informed consent (either verbal or written) must be obtained for each proposed treatment or procedure.
 Informed consent must be obtained prior to the possible use of a re- used single use critical item i.e. one which enters the patient’s sterile tissue or vascular / internal system. Refer to the Waikato DHB Re-use of Manufacturer Recommended Single Use Patient Care Items policy.
 Separate consent must be obtained for each of the following:
- surgery
- the accompanying anaesthetic
- treatment of an unforeseen pathology which only becomes
apparent during that surgery
- a diagnostic test which is invasive or which involves some risk to
the patient.
 In circumstances where the patient is consenting to a number of procedures within an overall treatment (e.g. ventilation of a premature baby involves a number of procedures including intubation, suction, insertion of intra-vascular lines, blood sampling etc.):
- each of the procedures must be explained and discussed with the patient or their legal representative
- a single composite consent is sufficient for a treatment regime (e.g. a course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy), but this must be redone if the patient’s clinical condition changes to an extent which requires a change in treatment or if the clinician has any other reasons to revisit the issue of consent, for example, a change in treatment following a less than optimal treatment (see also paragraph 4 below on how long consent remains valid)..
 In circumstances where the patient is consenting to a course of the same treatments over time (e.g. blood transfusions for haematological