Given the public’s concerns about online privacy and ID theft, ONC is launching a pilot project that will build trust in data exchange.

An e-patient consent system will soon become reality if the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has its way.

In fact, according to a listing on the Federal Business Opportunities website, ONC is currently seeking a vendor to conduct market research that will identify patient concerns as they design an e-consent pilot that will foster patient trust.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/patient/229402438

Pauline Chen had a post in the New York Times recently about surgical informed consent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/health/10chen.html?_r=1

As you know, informed consent is an important part of the surgeon/patient communication transaction. And so, this essay is a “must read” for all podiatrists.

Ann Miller RN MHA
[Executive-Director]

I just finished The Checklist Manifesto, by Atul Gawand MD, and it is a must read. Checklists are fast making their way into medicine, particularly in the area of surgery.

Dr. Gawande is a surgeon, and most of the anecdotes in his book are surgical. On the other hand, these podiatric surgical templates are to the informed consent process, what Atul must be to the general surgeon’s Operating Room; flexible and responsive.

Linda

Surgical checklists are “hot”, and save lives according to the WHO:
http://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/?p=20548

Professor Hope Hetico; RN, MHA
[Atlanta, GA]

I must say that I have to agree with Dr. Marcinko. Perhaps your reluctance to use checklists and templates is a generational thing?

If so, please get over it. Here’s why?
Top surgeon urges doctors to use ‘The Checklist’

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-01-27-checklist27_st_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

You and Dave may not be very eloquent, but his philosophy is the future, and I respectfully believe you are past your professional prime in this instance.

Jeff

Make your sugery safer with checklists:
http://www.scoap.org/checklist/

Editors

Here is a NYT link on the topic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/health/30chen.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

And, here is another link for your review.
http://psychdata.blogspot.com/2007/05/psychiatry-residents-often-skip.html

Psychiatry and Podiatry … strange bedfellows.

It seems as though http://www.ePodiatryConsentForms.com is ahead of the curve.

Dr. Lee

The law states that the podiatrist, or any health care provider, must get the patient’s consent to the surgery after giving the patient information including the risks, benefits, and alternatives to surgery, including NOT HAVING THE SURGERY at all.

Most consider a signed consent form, without explanation, inadequate to get the patient’s informed consent. The podiatrist should sit down with the patient and verbally explain the surgery.

Some podiatrists get the patient’s consent moments before the surgery. Some consider that to be bad practice. More important is whether the patient is calm enough to understand the details of the procedure and all the risks and alternatives. Most patients would rather not have this important information moments before surgery but rather days or weeks before the surgery so they can discuss it with their family or friends or just take their time and think it over.

Source: http://www.podiatrymalpractice.com/podiatry-services.html