You are checking a patient, Mr Papadopoulos, into the operating suite. Mr Papadopoulos is scheduled to have a transurethral resection of the prostate gland and this is stated on his consent form, which he has signed and the signature has been witnessed. However, when you ask Mr Papadopoulos to verify the nature of the operation, his response indicates that he is unsure of the operation he is
about to undergo. What are your responsibilities as a patient advocate in this situation and what action should you take? Provide rationales for your answer.
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
Surgery cannot go ahead until Mr Papadopoulos has been fully informed about the procedure to which he has consented, and it is only a medical practitioner, preferably his procedural surgeon, who can provide the information. If you feel comfortable approaching the surgeon with your concerns, this is the preferred course of action. It is the surgeon's responsibility to fully inform the patient of the procedure and possible complications, side effects and alternative treatments. If you do not feel able to approach the surgeon, you should inform your manager and seek advice. You should also inform the nursing and anaesthetic staff within the operating room to which Mr Papadopoulos is assigned, so that anaesthesia is not induced until the issue of his consent is resolved.
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