Many questions still arise about the need for informed consent for a midline catheter. My answer is Yes and No! To ensure that all who read this understands my thoughts, I need to emphasize the definition of informed consent from the 2016 INS Standards of Practice:
“A person’s voluntary agreement, based upon adequate knowledge and understanding of relevant information, to participate in research or to undergo a diagnostic, therapeutic, or prentice procedure” Standard #9 provides more details on informed consent, emphasizing this as an educational process based on shared decision-making. This standard does not provide a list of procedures that require informed consent. If you are thinking of “informed consent” as the signature on a piece of paper, the answer is either yes or no for a midline catheter insertion based on the direction of your risk management department. They will know about any applicable state laws regarding informed consent. Risk management’s decision should be included in your policy and procedure for midline catheter insertion. I would also encourage you to broaden your thinking about informed consent. This is an educational process that ends with a signature on a piece of paper but the patient’s adequate knowledge comes from what they are taught, preferably by the midline inserter who would have the most current and accurate knowledge about this procedure. The educational component of the informed consent process is always required for all procedures and all patients in all situations. Even if your facility does not require a signature on that consent form, you should still be educating the patient about the catheter, why they need it, what the procedure will entail, risks, benefits, and complications. If a signed consent form is required, the education must also include alternatives to the proposed midline catheter. So, the possible answers are
Both approaches still require patient education. The INS standard on informed consent includes 9 criteria for appropriate education for the patient’s age and level of health literacy. Please check out this standard for the details. Comments are closed.
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Author: Lynn HadawayLynn Hadaway is an international thought leader in infusion therapy and vascular access, having been in this practice for more than 40 years. Her experience comes from hospital-based infusion teams, device manufacturers, and continuing education services. Her journal and textbook publications are extensive. She also maintains board certification in infusion nursing (CRNI) and nursing professional development (RN-BC). Categories
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May 2019
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