Presentation Description
Institution: Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - Merseyside, United Kingdom (Great Britain)
Aim
Consent for surgical procedures is a vital component of a patient's journey. Junior doctors are often tasked with this responsibility. This audit aimed to assess and improve our practices in obtaining consent within the South Mersey Arterial Network (SMART) to uphold the highest medical standards.
Method
An audit on the completion of consent forms was conducted in September 2021, based on standards from Good Surgical Practice (2008), General Medical Council, and RCS guidelines. Findings were presented at a regional audit meeting, and all junior doctors received a presentation during weekly teaching sessions. A re-audit was then conducted to reassess compliance with the established standards.
Results
The analysis of thirty-seven consent forms revealed significant improvements during the re-audit. The percentage of patients receiving a copy of their consent form increased significantly from 20% to 65%. The use of abbreviations was entirely eradicated, reaching a 0% occurrence. Moreover, responsible consultant documentation and the documentation of full eligible patient names showed improvement, now ranging between 80-85%.
While these enhancements are commendable, additional areas for further improvement were identified. Strategies include boosting the rate of offering a copy of the consent form to patients, with the aim of achieving 90-100% compliance. Additionally, confirming consent when there is a delay between the consenting process and the actual procedure could be further emphasized as an area for refinement.
Conclusion
The re-audit highlighted significant improvements and identified new areas for focus, addressed in regional audit meetings and teaching sessions. The audit cycle is a valuable tool for continually monitoring and enhancing clinical practices to ensure optimal patient care. Additionally, it raised awareness about the legal consequences of inadequately filled-out consent forms, emphasizing the importance of accurate documentation.
Speakers
Authors
Authors
Mr Ibrahim Warda - , Mr Ragai Makar -