Page 22 - Part 1 Anesthesiology Common Risk Issues

SVMIC Anesthesiology: Common Risk Issues

anesthesia risks. That made it difficult for the defense to argue

that the particular anesthesia complication had been explained
to, and was understood by, the patient prior to the procedure.

The consent discussion is the anesthesiologist’s opportunity to

provide education and build rapport. In most cases, this will be
the anesthesiologist’s only opportunity to talk with the patient,

and therefore, it is prudent for him or her to have a thorough
and meaningful discussion and to document the details of that

communication.

Informed consent is a legal and ethical obligation on the part

of the physician, but the process also presents an opportunity
to meet with the patient and family and engage them in a

discussion of the anesthesia plan. Thus, it can become an
important tool in establishing patient rapport and compliance.

It can also help to educate and, furthermore, alleviate the fears
discussed at the beginning of this course that most patients

confess to experiencing. Remember, it is the discussion
that takes place between the physician and the patient (or

patient’s legal representative) that constitutes the basis for the
consent to be informed. The consent form that is signed by

the patient or representative is merely evidence memorializing
that the discussion took place and the patient/representative

understood the information discussed.

Ideally, the informed consent discussion should be documented
in both the patient’s chart and in a separate anesthesia consent

form that is signed by the patient/representative. Unfortunately,
anesthesiologists do not always have the benefit of access

to the patient’s chart to document the informed consent
discussion for the anesthesia care. Therefore, the accuracy of

the anesthesia consent document form is essential.

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