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Abstract Aim Consent is vital to enable patients to make informed decisions in regard to their treatment. Our audit reviewed the risks patients undergoing a right hemicolectomy consented for, with the aim of introducing a standardised consent form sticker. Method A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing a right hemicolectomy was undertaken over a 1-year period at a district general hospital. Clinical notes were reviewed to compare consent forms regarding the indication for operation, risks and complications consented for, along with actual outcomes. Patients were excluded if additional operations were performed or if a consent form 1 was not used. Results 25 patients were included with an average age of 71 years. The forms were completed by a Consultant in 40% of cases, the remaining being completed by a registrar. 2 consent forms were illegible. Risks consented for were inconsistent between patients. Interestingly, 40% of patients suffered from a post-operative complication, not all of which were consented for. Conclusions This project demonstrates variation within our consent process. We have proposed a pre-printed right hemicolectomy consent form sticker listing complications as agreed by the consultant body for our speciality. This has been presented at our departmental governance meeting and alterations have been made in response to feedback. We will complete the audit cycle and plan to extend this initiative to all colorectal procedures at our hospitals. An exciting innovation may involve digital consent forms via text or email whenever appropriate.
Mann et al. (Mon,) studied this question.