Informed Consent for Risk of COVID-19 in Preoperative Trauma Patients

Informed Consent for Risk of COVID-19 in Preoperative Trauma Patients
Harvey, A. Sheokand, R. Rambani
Orthopaedic Proceedings, 14 November 2022; 104
Open Access
Abstract
Introduction
The risk of Covid-19 community and hospital acquired infection (HAI) on patient outcomes in trauma is still relevant. Patient’s should be routinely consented for this risk to ensure informed consent for perioperative contraction.
Method
A prospective audit was completed from December-March 2022 examining a consecutive series of patient admissions with capacity to consent. The standards for compliance was RCOS Toolkit 5#3 stating the importance of enhanced consent for risk of contraction, in operating and changes to care pathways. The target was 95% compliance. 2/2 contingency tables were generated to determine odds ratio for compliance versus Covid+ rate.
Results
This audit generated 80 consecutive patients from which 28 were excluded as non-operative or lacking capacity. It was found that 25% (13/52) had been specifically consented for risks of Covid-19. The rate of PCR-positive results was 15% (8/52) with a mortality of 25%. Approximately 2% of patients in this series were informed of the risk and had a positive Covid-PCR. An odds ratio of 0.38 indicates that being informed of the risk is not associated with rate of infection e.g by adopting enhanced personal protective measures.
Conclusions
The pandemic recovery has not removed this substantial community and nosocomial risk. Our results demonstrate poor compliance with RCS guidance despite ongoing relevance to care. Consent includes the counselling of a patient to specific Covid-related risks including thrombosis & death. Dissemination of these results will be followed by completion of the audit cycle to look for improvements in compliance.