Uniform Consent-Form Standard Benefits
By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA
Although following a bell-shaped standard distribution curve does not protect you from having your surgical consent-forms audited; it can go a long way in establishing your usual-customary-reasonable standard-of-care protocol to a third-party reviewer, quality assurance manager, insurance company, patient attorney, etc.
Consent-Forms Vary
Understanding your options is the first step in visualizing and upgrading the bell-curve. For example, in modern podiatric practice, there are usually several different practice venues. Accordingly, podiatrists encounter patients in at least six different venues that require consent-form use.
More importantly, most of the consent-forms are markedly different at each institution or venue, and some podiatrists don’t recognize the problems that this may cause. So, here is a typical location line-up for the average modern podiatrist:
1. Multi-specialty group
2. Clinic
3. Podiatry office
4. ASC
5. Hospital [out-patient]
6. Hospital [in-patient]
Even more vexing is the fact that most podiatrists use a dizzying combination of the above locations in their professional lives.
Documentation
It is well known that true patient informed-consent is a collaborative communication process between patient and surgeon. And, it is bi-lateral collaboration; not just the completion of a mere medico-legal form.
Nevertheless, the process is recorded for legal posterity on the consent-form.
Therefore, medical risk-managers, attorneys and insurance agents increasingly believe that consent-forms should have the same “look and feel”, “format and style”, “inclusions and recitations” for each patient; regardless of venue.
In other words, “why should a consent form differ – for the same procedure – when done at different locations? Ceteras paribus.
Self-Evaluation and Need for Consent-Form Improvement
Today, podiatrist’s can review physical charts or electronic medical records [eMRs] to evaluate where their consent-form use falls within the above schematic. And, most podiatrists have noted significant location changes as modern practice continually evolves.
The Bell Shaped Curve
A normal bell-shaped-curve for most podiatrists would probably demonstrate most of the procedural venues spread out fairly evenly over the different locations above; with a smaller number at the top and bottom levels. The majority would be in the third-fourth levels; podiatry office and Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Assessment
e-Podiatry Consent Forms ™ may be used to standardize your documentation and informed-consent process, regardless of venue, by using professionally prepared Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ] styled forms.
Conclusion
· Using standardized e-Podiatry Consent Forms™, across the entire spectrum of venues, may be a prudent malpractice defense step.
· Using e-Podiatry Consent Forms™ establishes a consistent standard-of-care level for the informed-consent process and related documentation.
· Using e-Podiatry Consent Forms™ may improve patient care quality.
· Using e-Podiatry Consent Forms™ may reduce your professional liability risks.
You, your patients and the profession deserve nothing less than e-Podiatry Consent Forms™.
e Podiatry Consent Forms 
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