Abstract
Aims
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, The Royal College of Surgeons of England released guidelines advising on additional considerations which should be discussed with patients as part of the informed consent process prior to surgery.
We conducted a prospective audit on whether COVID-19 infection was mentioned as a possible complication during the consenting process for patients undergoing emergency and elective general surgical procedures at a District General Hospital.
Methodology
We prospectively collected data on the patients admitted for surgical procedures over a 2-week period. Consent forms were reviewed noting whether COVID-19 infection was listed as a possible complication.
Results
35 patients were audited with a median age of 54 (12-94) years including 17 males and 18 females. Patients presented with varying surgical diagnoses, with 16 and 19 undergoing emergency and elective operations, respectively. 77.1% (27) of patients had COVID-19 infection mentioned as a possible complication on their consent forms. Five out of six consent forms completed by Clinical Fellows or CT trainees, 10 out of 13 by Registrars, 12 out of 16 by Consultants mentioned COVID-19 infection. We found no significant correlation between the grade of the consent taker and COVID-19 infection being mentioned as a possible complication.
Conclusion
Most of the consent takers were aware of the guidelines and mentioned COVID-19 infection as a possible complication during consenting. However, this awareness could be expanded. The results will be presented to the department before a plan to re-audit and close the loop in a few weeks.
A two year prospective audit of emergency urological admissions, investigations and training opportunities at a district general hospital
