Rationale:
Any form that you sign for a medical procedure becomes a legal document certifying that you have read and understand every single issue that may result from this procedure. Death and injury may occur from a medical procedure. For instance, anesthesiology is a very risky and dangerous process and medical procedure – that is required for many operations.
The informed consent will list death as a possible result of this procedure. Once you sign that electronic pad / form, you are acknowledging that you understand and accepted any risks, and you have determined the benefit of the operation / procedure outweigh any risks you have been “informed.” The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. can assist you, see https://www.attorneyforveterans.com/lawyer-attorney-1325515.html
But the VA told me its normal procedure just to sign the electronic pad – where I cannot read the informed consent – the VA is required to provide you a paper copy before you sign this document. Again, this electronic system is in response to the HIPAA Laws or the electronic patient information mandate.
If something bad were to happen to you during a medical procedure, the defense you did not see what you are signing when you signed the electronic pad is not going to protect you. You may be barred (stopped) from recovering any damages against the health care provider or medical facility.
More importantly, informed consent is there to protect you. The words “informed consent” mean exactly that – – You are granting the physician the right to conduct the operation or procedure on your body knowing full well all of the possibilities for the outcome of this operation or procedure.
Informed consent Is a legal document to protect you. Any hospital is required to show you a written informed consent prior to you signing an electronic pad. Your electronic signature will be translated into the document.
Do not accepted a statement, that they will have to retrieve the form. Do not sign an electronic pad without knowing full well what you are signing. Yes – this means making the person requesting you sign go get the paper copy of the informed consent.
Protect yourself – know what you are signing. Consent only if you are properly informed and agree to the risks and Understand the medical operation or procedure. See https://www.attorneyforveterans.com/lawyer-attorney-1325515.html for a short explanation of informed consent.
An informed consent Document is proof that the medical facility and medical providers discussed all procedures (how the doctors/health care providers are going to operate on you), possible outcomes (fix your disability, improve your disability, all the way to any potential outcome both good and bad), discuss any possible side effects or risks (nausea, vomiting, death, etc.). This document indicates that you read anything that may possibly be done to you, and may result to you – and you accepted the risk of this operation/procedure.
Informed Consent laws developed due to bad outcomes in the hospital/health care facility having to be resolved in the courts. Courts were involved due to very bad things happening to people who did not understand the risks of an operation/procedure.
To me blindly signing an informed consent document or any medical document without understanding or knowing what the document states is analogous to never stopping for a stop sign. Eventually something bad may happen.
Most people would never give a blank check to another individual – so why would you give the VA or any hospital – blanket protection for any negligence they cause?
Yes the administrators / Admissions clerk’s / nurses / physicians will tell you that they Do not have the document available, and will therefore have to go get the form / documents. They may further state that this may take a while to obtain a hard copy.
That’s their job. Make them go get the form – how can you know what your signing and agreeing to if you do not read it?
Never sign an informed consent Document or any other medical document without understanding and knowing what this document states and further understanding what it is that you are signing.
Ask questions until you agree and understand – this is informed consent.