Understanding Standard 2.2 Consumer Information
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Standard 2.2 Consumer Information
Prior to a diagnostic imaging procedure being rendered, except in cases of emergency, the diagnostic imaging practice must ensure that:
(a) patients have access to information about the diagnostic imaging procedure;
(b) risks are advised to the patient or substitute decision maker;
(c) practice staff obtain and record relevant information about the patient’s health status and individual patient risk factors; and
(d) consent for the diagnostic imaging procedure is obtained from the patient or the substitute decision maker.
What does this Standard mean?
This Standard requires service providers to demonstrate that all parties (staff, patients, decision makers) are fully informed about the diagnostic imaging procedure including potential health risk to the patient.
How can I meet this Standard?
To meet this Standard your service must provide:
1. Examples of specific information for the diagnostic imaging services available at your service e.g. brochures on display in the waiting room.
2. A sample of records documenting the patient’s health status, relevant to the diagnostic imaging procedure being undertaken, with regard to:
- asthma - previous exposure to intravenous contrast
- allergies - medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease
- pregnancy status - medications such as metformin hydrochloride
- breastfeeding - medical devices and implanted devices such as intra- cranial aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemaker, coronary stents, intra ocular foreign bodies and cochlear implants
This information is obtained upon presentation of initial assessment prior to the service being rendered.
3. A sample of records documenting risks have been advised to the patient. This applies to high risk procedures such as Radiology. Ultrasound services are considered low risk and do not need to provide evidence for this section.
4. A sample of records of consent obtained from the patient in respect of the diagnostic imaging procedure. High risk procedures such as Radiology must obtain consent from the patient prior the procedure being rendered. Contact your QIP Accreditation Consultant on 1300 888 329 to find out if this applies to your service.
Helpful hints
Where there is a requirement to demonstrate compliance through the provision of clinical records, the following guidelines apply:
- The relevant sections of the clinical records of at least two patients must be provided for each modality registered to the LSPN (unless otherwise advised)
- Clinical records provided must be in respect of patients who have received a service within the 12 month period prior to submitting the self-assessment
- Clinical records submitted must not be the same records submitted in support of entry level accreditation
- Clinical records must be de-identified by completely obliterating, covering or removing information that could identify the patient e.g. name address and date of birth.