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Sorry, I thought I covered that but allow me
to further explain. Does consent to treat and transport have to be
obtained? Yes it does. Most scene flights are for trauma patients
who are in full c-spine precautions which makes it difficult for them to
sign. In this case, I obtain verbal consent and worry about the
signature later. As long as they consent, you have witnesses and you
document that you explained the situation and they gave verbal consent you will
be covered. Should a patient have a decreased LOC or for some other reason
be unable to give consent you treat them and document that you were working
under implied consent for what ever reason.
Weather on a ground unit or in the aircraft I have
never wasted my time on scene to get a written consent. I obtain a verbal
consent to treat and transport and then upon arrival in ED I ask them or a
family member for a signature. I explain that by signing the consent they
are confirming that they consented to the treatment and transport. In my 9
year experience this has never been a problem.
As long as you obtain consent in one form or
another you are covered. Just be sure your documentation accurately
reflects the method used.
Wesley Copeland
LifeNet - Joplin
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 7:06
PM
Subject: Re: Consents
Thank you...but let me expand on my original
request....I was specifically referring to written consents, on scenes,
and my biggest concern is the legality of having the consent signed
(for transport), in the ER, after the fact.....
Nancy
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 7:29
PM
Subject: Re: Consents
Well, by law you must obtain consent from every
patient. Lisa must not be too familiar with EMS. Lisa is correct
in her statement regarding "implied consent" however, for your own
protection a consent form still needs to be completed with the statement
"Unable to sign" and then signed and dated by yourself and
your partner or another witness. It is also important to
document why the patient was unable to sign, what type of consent you are
treating the patient under (implied consent, verbal consent, consent of
family member, etc") Their is no need to waste time on scene trying to
get a consent signed but if you are able to get a signature at the receiving
facility from the patient or family member get it and if not document as
above. Remember, "If it's not documented, you never did
it!"
Wesley Copeland
LifeNet - Joplin
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 1:46
PM
Subject: Re: Consents
Why would you need a consent form for a scene patient? I
don't think I have heard of this before and I find it rather
interesting. I guess I believe that a significant motor vehicle
crash in which a patient has sustained a traumatic injury (or multiple
injuries) requiring air transport to the trauma center is consent
enough. If their unconscious: its implied. If their head
injured: would they understand what they may have to consent to? If
they are intoxicated: good luck getting a consent for anything!
Will be interesting to see what others have to add......
Lisa
Nancy Hunter <omgwafn@att.net> wrote:
Hi all,
Just wondering what others are doing in
regards to getting consent forms (for transport) from scene
patients....Are you required to get them? If so, how and when are you
having patients sign them? If you are not required to get them,
why?
Thanks
Nancy
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