400 patients sign up for successful health project at hospital
A RECRUITMENT drive to find 150 patients for a pilot project at a Welsh hospital has been so successful that 400 of them have signed up.
The patients, who are all awaiting knee or hip replacements, watch a series of bite-sized videos to explain the surgical procedure and risks, along with any alternative options.
They are then asked a series of questions to make sure they understand what is involved before deciding to have the operation.
The pilot education programme started at Bridgend’s Princess of Wales Hospital last September and will continue for 15 months.
Janet Harris, from Coychurch, near Bridgend, became the 400th patient to sign up for Consent Plus while awaiting knee surgery.
Mrs Harris said: “I thought the videos were very good. I found it easy to access even though I’m not good on technology.
“I watched them all and learnt quite a lot, and understood a lot more than I would have had otherwise.”
Patients must give informed consent before treatment or examination can take place after they have had all the relevant information.
However, patient feedback revealed many of them could not remember or fully understand the risk of complications of surgery.
A subsequent legal case in Scotland reinforced the need for doctors to document and demonstrate patient understanding and knowledge of the treatment risks, implications and options.
Princess of Wales Hospital carries out elective hip and knee replacement surgery.
Last year the Health Foundation awarded it £75,000 to introduce Consent Plus including commissioning the videos.
The original idea came from British Orthopaedic Association clinical leadership fellow Paul Lee and consultant orthopaedic surgeon Amit Chandratreya. They have led the 15-month pilot along with consultant general and colorectal surgeon Barry Appleton and surgical care practitioner Nicola Bayliss.