The importance of accuracy in consenting in Laparoscopic Appendicectomies and Cholecystectomies in Emergency General Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Background Emergency General Surgery frequently necessitates expediting the consent due to clinic pressure often reducing the time for extensive and accurate consents. New recommendations from GIRFT, RCS and ASGBI advise the best practice for laparoscopic appendicectomy and cholecystectomies documentation to ensure that clinicians are adhering to safe practice with focus on consenting and informing patients accurately. Aim The aim of this study is to look at the accuracy of the documentation of consent in emergency general surgery laparoscopic appendicectomies and cholecystectomies to ensure and promote best practice. Method A retrospective analysis of 75 patients from the emergency general surgical take requiring laparoscopic appendicectomy or cholecystectomy from 08/09/23-14/9/23 in the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh, a tertiary trauma centre. The consent forms were analysed for scribed operation, legibility, abbreviations, and risks/ complications. The patients’ notes were then analysed to find out the operation carried out and any operative or immediate post operative complications. The consents forms were then compared to the post operative notes looking at the immediate operative complications to assess their accuracy. Conclusion The retrospective study demonstrated that there is scope for improvement within the consenting process to ensure the accuracy of the predicted operation and subsequent risks thus to improve true informed consent. The areas which could easily be improved on as such is the legibility, use of abbreviations and complete documentation of risks/complications the use of Procedure specific consent forms (PSCF) may be beneficial in creating standardisation.