Study advises consent process changes

A REVIEW of theatre consent forms at the country’s largest hospital found that only 5% contained a record of the specific risks involved.

The study carried out at Cork University Hospital (CUH) found that changes are required in the consent process and recommends the use of multimedia adjuncts to facilitate both patient and doctor.

The study also highlights the difficulties encountered by consenting doctors, an issue which may lead to patient dissatisfaction, threaten the efficient running of a surgical unit and potentially expose its staff to avoidable litigation.