Consent, Admission, Discharge & Certification Flashcards
Where is the word Autonomy derived from?
Greece
What does ‘autos’ mean?
Self
What does ‘nomos’ mean?
Rule
(Governance or law)
What does autonomy mean?
Freedom to determine one’s own actions + behaviours
What is meant by ‘Personal autonomy’?
At a minimum:
- Self rule = The right or state of self-government
- Free from both controlling interference by others + by certain limitations, such as inadequate understanding, that prevents meaningful choice
True or False.
It can be said that animals lack autonomy + as such, is passed on to their owners.
Due to this, RVNs need to consider this, when reffering to the owner’s duty of care.
True
What is the principle respect for autonomy?
To respect autonomous agents is to acknowledge their right to:
* Hold views
* Make choices
* Take actions, based on their personal values + beliefs
What is it to respect the principle of autonomy?
- Involves the acknowledgement the value + decision making rights of a person
- & enable them to act autonomously
Name the 3 primary areas within the law of consent
- Battery
- Negilgence
What 2 types of law covers battery + negilgence?
- Civil law
- Common law
( + Statutes of relevance)
True or False.
Battery is not a legal threat, if the patient has been lied to about a tx or there is other fraud, in the informed consent, then the entire consent is still valid.
False.
Battery is a legal threat + if there is fraud in the informed consent, then the entire consent is invalid!
Is it ethical to proceed w/ interventions that are not supported by informed consent?
No
What 3 core requirements are required, according to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, in order to gain informed consent from a client?
- Fully aware of all tx options
- Understand + fully aware of significant risks
- Tx or px has been explained in a way a client can understand
What is the latin name for consent?
Consentire
What does consent mean?
To agree
What are the 3 types of valid consent?
- Implied
- Verbal
- Written
What is meant by valid consent?
Actions taken to indicate what a client wants you to do
What’s an example of implied consent?
By a client filling in a form, assuming there details will be passed on
When gaining verbal consent, what must you ensure?
That you record in a very detailed + accurate manner
What are the 3 main criteria required to gain informed consent?
- Age
- Maturity
- Mental capacity
At what age can you be legally responsible, but not financially responsible, in Scotland?
Over 16 y/o
At what age can you be financially responsible in Scotland?
Over 18 y/o
Is mental capacity included in the RVNs duty of care?
Yes
Who is primarily responsible to ensure the person/client has sufficent mental capacity?
VS
What 5 pieces of information should be given to an owner on the procedure?
- Price estimate (Everything, inc diagnostics etc)
- What the procedure involves
- Risks
- Prognosis
- Alternative treatments
Would it be illegal to perform surgery on an animal without a signed consent form?
No!
Because, from a legal point of view, the key thing would be that the owner has given valid consent - which could be given verbally, over the phone!
What is the purpose of a consent form?
- To communicate that consent has been obtained to other members of the V team
- To provide evidence that the owner has given valid consent
If it is technically not illegal to perform surgery on animal without a signed consent form, as money hasn’t been exchanged for the tx and therefore a contract, is this deemed ethical?
No, it’s not ethical + why it shouldn’t be done, if it can be avoided
List the information required to be filled in on a consent form
- Clearly written consent
- Easily understood
- Signed by the client, only when he or she fully understands the procedure involved + implications
- Person must be over the age of 18
- Dated
- Procedure to be taken
- Contact details
- Name + address of client
- Pet details
- Pre-anaesthetic bloods (if req)
What are the 2 roles of the VS when gaining consent to tx a patient?
- To gain consent via a consent form, from the owner of the patient
- Take action, where consent is either withheld or the person is not avaliable
As well as making clients aware of the risk of a procedure, what 2 other possible things may be considered?
- Discuss the benefits of the proposed tx’s
- Allow the client to weigh up the risks + benefits
Ricks = pros + cons
How should information be presented to clients, from a proffessional stand-point?
It is given impartially
Is it still the VS’s responsbility to inform the client that other veterinary staff or professionals may be performing the procedure that they have consented for?
Yes!
Can anyone other than a VS obtain informed consent?
Yes, but only under VS direction
What must a VS consider when delegating the responsbility of obtaining informed consent from a client?
(Or any other procedure)
- Are they suitably trained?
- Have they got sufficent knowledge of:
1. Proposed procedure
1. Risks
1. Tx
What is the schedule 3 exemption?
+
What Act does this refer to?
Under Schedule 3 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, only registered veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurses have the privilege to perform certain procedures in veterinary practice, as delegated to them by veterinary surgeon colleagues employed in the same practice.
This includes:
* The privilege of giving any medical treatment or carrying out minor surgery, not involving entry into a body cavity, is given to:
* Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs)
* Under the direction of their employer
* To animals under their employer’s care.
* Perform first aid
* Minor stich-ups
What does section 1g of the Guide to Professional Conduct state about VS + fee estimates?
That a VS has the responsbility to give realistic fee estimates based on tx options
What must VS’s consider when discussing fee estimates or tx costs with clients?
- Discuss w/ the client + gain informed consent
- The quote may be binding in law
- Owners must be warned that additional charges may arise if complications occur
- Pre + Post-operative checks + diagnostic tests may increase costs
- Fees should be written on the consent form
- Higher fees = greater need for transparency
