Page 9 - Diagnostic Radiology - Interpreting the Risks Part Two_Neat

SVMIC Diagnostic Radiology: Interpreting the Risks

• Probable outcome and expected post-procedure/

treatment course

• The most likely and most severe associated risks, side

effects, and complications

• Probable benefits

• Reasonable alternatives (including non-treatment), along

with the associated risks, side effects, complications, and
benefits

The discussion should be in terms understandable to a lay
person, and the patient should be offered the opportunity to ask

questions and have them fully and directly answered.

A competent adult or parent may consent. If an adult patient
does not possess the mental capacity to understand the nature

and consequences of authorizing treatment, someone who
holds a durable healthcare power of attorney may consent. In

the absence of such individual, the next course would be to turn
to a surrogate decision maker: spouse (unless legally separated),

adult child, parent, adult sibling, or grandparent.

The basic rule of thumb is that the duty to disclose relevant
information rests with the provider who performs the diagnostic
test, medical care, or surgery. Other individuals such as nurses,

residents, or technicians may assist in disclosing relevant

information, but the individual who actually administers
treatment is ultimately responsible for obtaining consent.

Informed consent should be recorded by documenting a
thorough, contemporaneous note in the chart detailing the

discussion or through a pre-printed, treatment/procedure

Page 9