Most practices are scanning consent forms into the LMR. You can display these scanned copies in either the LMR or the Results Viewer. As of 8/12/2008, the Order Entry records of chemotherapy consent are view only.
The Standard Chemotherapy Consent function records the existence of a paper consent form that has been signed by the patient receiving chemotherapy. This electronic record provides witness to the administering RN or NP that the patient has given written consent, so that the nurse can start treatment without having to find the paper form at that moment.
A consent must be signed and recorded for every regimen or protocol the patient undergoes. Only MDs (and NPs at MGH only) can start a new consent record. Each record of consent is displayed in the patient's List of consent forms. The Status of each consent indicates:
Open status—awaiting one or more signatures
Active status—signed off by an MD (or NP at MGH only), an RN or NP, and a Pharmacist
The consent record lists the patient's demographics (name and medical record numbers). The MD enters the primary diagnosis, consent signature date, regimen or protocol to which the consent applies, and any medications relevant to the treatment and consent. The information can be entered in advance if the patient has not actually signed the consent.
No new records can be started if any record remains open. An MD (or NP at MGH only) can update or change the information on the consent record as long as neither the RN nor the pharmacist has signed off.
At MGH only, if an NP initiates the consent record, only an RN can provide the RN signature. An NP can provide the RN signature if an MD initiates the consent.
Once the patient has signed the consent form, an MD (or NP at MGH only) must enter the date and sign off on the record. The RN or NP and Pharmacist can sign off any time after this.