Below is a sample consent in the time of Coronavirus. Expect you will have to sign this before your procedure. I put it out here so you think about it before you are in the preop appointment and feel the “pressure” to go forward with the surgery. We know that coronavirus is here to stay, and COVID 19, will extend into 2020 and beyond. But we do hope with time and testing, we will understand the virus better, have better ways of diagnosing and treating it, and hopefully a vaccine.
Know we are taking every conceivable precaution- cleaning the surgery center deeply, wearing PPE (masks, gloves, gowns), taking temperature of all staff and visitors, limiting the number of people who interact, social distancing and other protocols. But we know this is highly contagious and many are asymptomatic. Please read all my blogs on the subject HERE.
If you read the consent and you think- nope. Not for me. I don’t want to sign this, then you should wait to do surgery. Elective surgery is just that- it is elective.
COVID-19 RISK INFORMED CONSENT
I ______________________ (patient name) understand I am opting for an elective surgery that is not urgent and may not be medically necessary.
I also understand the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. I further understand COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread by person-to-person contact; and, as a result, federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing. I recognize that Dr. and all the staff at the Center are closely monitoring this situation and have put in place reasonable preventative measures aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, given the nature of the virus, I understand there is an inherent risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 by virtue of proceeding with this elective treatment/procedure/surgery.
I hereby acknowledge and assume the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 through this elective surgery, and I give my express permission for Dr and the staff at the Center to proceed with the same.
I understand even if I have been tested for COVID and received a negative test result, the tests in some cases may fail to detect the virus or I may have contracted COVID after the test. I understand if I have a COVID-19 infection, and even if I do not have any symptoms for the same, proceeding with this elective surgery can lead to a higher chance of complication and death.
I understand possible exposure to COVID-19 before/during/after my surgery may result in the following: a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, extended quarantine/self-isolation, additional tests, hospitalization that may require medical therapy, Intensive Care treatment, possible need for intubation/ventilator support, short-term or long-term intubation, other potential complications, and the risk of death. In addition, after my elective treatment/procedure/surgery, I may need additional care that may require me to go to an emergency room or a hospital.
I understand that COVID-19 may cause additional risks, some or many of which may not currently be known at this time, in addition to the risks described herein, as well as those risks for the surgery itself.
I have been given the option to defer my surgery to a later date. However, I understand all the potential risks, including but not limited to the potential short-term and long-term complications related to COVID-19, and I would like to proceed with my desired surgery. I UNDERSTAND THE EXPLANATION AND HAVE NO MORE QUESTIONS AND CONSENT TO THE PROCEDURE.