Avoiding Malpractice Through Strong Informed Consent Practices

Informed consent is critical in all areas of healthcare and medicine. It takes on even added importance when you’re suggesting a non-mainstream approach.

• Give the patient good information about your reasons for going down a particular therapeutic pathway.
• Be sure to cover all the benefits and risks of the proposed alternatives.
• Be sure the patient understands exactly what you’re saying.
• Answer any questions.
• Tell the patient why the treatment you’re proposing is different than the conventional route, and what are the pros and cons.

In other words, make sure you cover the bases of informed consent.

And then, document everything you’ve talked about in the medical chart.

Be sure you have written documentation and confirmation of the conversation.

The reason? Poor informed consent can be grounds for a malpractice lawsuit by a patient independent of any negligence.

On the other hand, strong and robust informed consent practices can help you with legal risk mitigation.

If you have any questions about your consent forms, or consent form practices, give us a call. We’d be glad to talk to you.