title: Written consent - a prospective audit of practices for ENT patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is very important that patients are given sufficient time to consider the implications of surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors audited the consenting practices for patients undergoing surgery in a busy ENT unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first cycle demonstrated that 15% of patients were providing written consent for surgery on the same day as their operation. Subsequent to a simple change in departmental policy, this was reduced to 2%. The medicolegal implications of this audit are discussed with reference to current recommendations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This simple policy change not only protects the hospital trust from potential litigation but also provides a smooth journey for the patients from diagnosis to making the decision to operate and finally to undergoing surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Salam
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008485:Medical Audit; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies