Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 1 TSC 016 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Consent Belongs to the Surgeon
The idea
Informed consent means the patient understands the procedure, its risks, benefits and alternatives, and agrees to it before surgery.
In practice
Follow how consent is built. First, the surgeon explains the procedure, including alternatives, risks such as disability or disfigurement, any removal of a body part, and what recovery will look like, and answers the patient's questions. Second, the patient or a legal guardian signs, and a witness signs too; a preoperative nurse may be that witness. Third, the anesthesia provider separately discusses anesthesia options and obtains consent for anesthesia. Fourth, on the day of surgery the team confirms the consent again, and at the time out the procedure is read directly from the consent form.
Where people slip
The scrub person does not obtain consent and does not explain the surgery. If a patient says something suggesting they misunderstand what will be done, report it at once to the circulating nurse or the surgeon.
Your place on the trail
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