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Based on records reviewed and interviews for 4 of 10 Surgical Patients (#1, #2, #4, and #6), the Hospital failed to obtain a properly executed consent prior to scheduled surgery.

Findings include:

Review of the policy titled, Informed Consent, dated 3/2019, indicated that the physician or other provider who is responsible for carrying out the procedure is also responsible for the consent and adequacy of the information conveyed in the informed consent discussion and ensuring the consent is obtained and documented.

Patient #1's surgical consent for a laparotomy (a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity) with a possible bowel resection, was signed by Patient #1, twenty hours after Patient #1's Surgeon signed the informed consent.

Patient #2's surgical consent for a panniculectomy (a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and tissue from the lower abdomen), was signed by Patient #2, approximately ten days after Patient #2's Surgeon signed the informed consent.

Patient #4's surgical consent for a repair of a right lower abdominal incisional hernia (a weakened area in the abdominal wall, where an organ pushes through), was signed by Patient #4, approximately 2 days after Patient #4's Surgeon signed the informed consent.

Patient #6's surgical consent for a left total knee replacement, was signed by Patient #6, twenty-three days after Patient #6's Surgeon signed the informed consent.

The Surveyor interviewed the Director of Surgery at 3:30 P.M. on 7/28/20. The Director of Surgery said that the information (to explain the surgery, risks, benefits and alternatives) for the surgical informed consent was frequently provided to patients in the Physician's office. However, the Physician's office often does not receive the faxed consent forms (from the Hospital) in timely manner to enable the Physician to obtain the written patient consent. The Director of Surgery said that on the day of the patient's surgery, the Pre-operative Nurse asks the patient if they have questions about the risks and benefits of the surgery, and if there are no questions, then the Pre-operative Nurse has the patient sign the consent.