While it does not refer to the matter of informed consent, phlebotomy
injuries have been the subject of successful claims for malpractice in the
US.
(See, for example, http://www.springnet.com/ce/p809a.htm )
Given this one does wonder just how long it will be before discussing with
the patient the reason for testing becomes an essential element in the
testing process.
If this is tied in with the recent proposals on for total quality management
( http://www.ifcc.org/ejifcc for those who missed Craig Webster's email) in
JIFCC where it is prposed that "The laboratory shall state the clinical
performance" of methods and measurement procedures as "diagnostic
specificity, sensitivity or ROC diagrams for different purposes" obtaining
'informed consent' will become an interesting process.
Recently Jonathan Kay pointed out that there is no concept of "informed
consent" in English law, just "consent". However, the twinning of the two
words appears to be used extensively in advice to the medical profession
over procedures in general and, no doubt, those in the law would hold that
one cannot give consent to a procedure unless adequate information is
offered.
The next question might be whether there can be any such thing as 'routine
venepuncture.'
Trevor Tickner,
Norwich
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bruce Campbell [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 17 April 2001 06:50
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Consent to venepuncture
>
> I know that the current consensus view is that informed consent is not
> necessary for routine venepuncture. I would be interested to hear if any
> organisation has changed their view and is informing patients of the
> potential complications of venepuncture as a result of medico-legal claims
> or advice.
>
> ****************************************
> Bruce Campbell FRCPA FAACB
> Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology
> Ph 61 (0)7 3377 8672
> Fax 61 (0)7 3870 5989
> Email [log in to unmask]
> ****************************************
>
>
> **********Confidentiality/Limited Liability Statement***************
>
> This message and any files transmitted with it contain privileged and
> confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee
> named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
> you must not disseminate, copy or take any action in reliance on it.
> If you have received this message in error, please notify Sullivan
> Nicolaides Pathology immediately.
>
> Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender
> and Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology accepts no liability for the content
> of this message except where the sender specifically states them to be
> the views of Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology.
>
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and is intended
only for the named recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient you
must not copy, distribute, or take any action or reliance on it. If you have
received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender. Any unauthorised
disclosure of the information contained in this e-mail is strictly
prohibited.
|