July 7, 2014 Puzzle Piece Do you need an Informed Consent When Treating Patients?

I had a call and question this week, after speaking at the ICAK or International College of Applied Kinesiology in Washington DC.  I had mentioned some of the techniques we use in Wellness, Preventive, or Holistic Health care may be considered experimental or unproven.  It is always better to play it safe by having an Informed Consent signed by the patient.

I have included an example in this Puzzle Piece to show some of the possible verbiage that could be used.  You could add or subtract to cover those services you offer.  Those in the Wellness Medical world doing nutritional or EDTA IV’s, or even aggressive oral nutrition and other non-mainstream procedures may fall into this category as well.

Individual states may have their own rules and/or verbiage that they require to be used for these Informed Consents.  Practices need to stay within their own state guidelines and have the responsibility of knowing what those guidelines are.  You can call your state boards and in some cases your state associations for further insights.  Websites for these organizations often have this type of data posted.  States will also individually identify those services that they consider to be experimental or unproven.  It is necessary that practices are aware of these things to be thorough and correct.
Here is a sample of what an Informed Consent for "Unproven" Procedures might look like:

Informed Consent to an "Unproven" Procedure

This consent form identifies those services or procedures performed in this office that are designated "unproven" by the Colorado State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and their effectiveness has not been demonstrated.  "Unproven” means that the service or procedure is one that is not generally recognized or does not have scientific validity whose research was not sponsored and investigative findings have not been printed in scientific journals.

By signing this form, the patient grants permission for the practice to proceed with the rendering of these services on an as needed basis.

Services rendered in this practice that are designated as "unproven" by the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners includes:

-Soft or Cold Laser therapy for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration
-Reflexology or the testing of Reflex Points
-Eyelights
-Color and Sound Therapy

By signing this consent I, _________________________________________ understand that the procedure(s) referenced have been designated as "unproven" by the Colorado State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the effectiveness has not been demonstrated.  I also understand that by signing this waiver, I consent to the use of or rendering of these services by this practice on an as needed or as recommended basis and I grant my doctor permission to proceed with these services.  I also understand that at any time I can elect to discontinue the receipt of these services by informing my doctor or staff member of my decision. 

 
 
______________________________________________                     ____________________ 
                               
(Print Name)                                                                                                           Date
 
 

________________________________________________________
                                (Signature)

________________________________________________________
   (Guardian or Authorized representative printed name.  If applicable)
 
 
 
________________________________________________________
   (Guardian or Authorized representative signature

I have also been asked if giving nutritional recommendations adds liability to a doctor.  The answer is, of course.  A physician of any degree must be competent in any given recommendation and must be able to elaborate on why a recommendation was given if ever challenged.  This is the great thing about XYMOGEN and BioEnergX nutrition.  It is backed by science and many years of clinical experience in each of the formulations.  XYMOGEN has a board of approximately 25 physicians and practitioners that help produce formulations and ongoing research.

Another safeguard we have is when we use the Brimhall Advantage SBN blood reporting system.  The SBN stands for Science Based Nutrition.  All reporting and recommendation is based on the current literature.  If you have not looked into the COOP buying opportunity and color coded reporting system, please go to www.brimhall.com and take a look at what is offered and how you take advantage.  There are free webinars listed for your edification as well. 

Call Jason if you have any questions at 866-338-4883.  He can give you specific details or point out where on our website more information is available.  Under Brimhall Doctors and then the subcategory Doctors Resources, you can find a lot of useful information and assistance.

We look forward to seeing you soon.  If you are ready to be Brimhall Certified or need to Re-Certify, get signed up for the 3-day in Gilbert Arizona, August 22-24, 2014.  It will be at Dr Brett Brimhall’s office.  We will show you how to implement the “Six Steps to Wellness” first hand.