Page 8 - Diagnostic Radiology - Interpreting the Risks Part Two_Neat

SVMIC Diagnostic Radiology: Interpreting the Risks

Overall, documentation is best for everyone’s interest. Certainly,

it is helpful from a legal standpoint, but most importantly, it
improves the patient’s healthcare delivery and increases overall

patient safety.

Additional documentation considerations also include informed
consent and the audit trail.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement to
provide patients sufficient information in a manner they fully

comprehend, with which they may make an informed election
about the course of their medical treatment. It is a process

where there is an exchange of information between a patient
and physician (or advanced practice provider) that assists

with engaging the patients in their care and helps to manage
expectations.

Informed consent is needed before any invasive procedure

or test (many institutions have developed a list of surgeries,
procedures, or situations where informed consent is required)

or treatment with high-risk medications. But the bottom line is
that patients are entitled to relevant information pertaining to all

treatment recommendations.

The following information must be included:

• Description of the indications for treatment

• Details of the proposed treatment plan and possible
modifications

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