Why do hospitals and/or doctors make you sign this piece of paper?

Question

Before operation, they make you sign on a piece of paper, not the "approve to do the operation" paper, but the "i m not responsible if something goes wrong" piece of paper!!

Is this normal? are doctors and hospitals really not responsible for operations complications!?

Answer 1

Thanks for this question really wanted to know.

Loooooooooooool @ Egypty

Answer 2

Well does this happen? The answer is yes in every hospital they make you sign a consent form and a waiver of rights so that a patient will have some difficulty in drawing a lawsuit in case of any complications or wrong happenings.

However if you do read the paper carefully you will find that they state that the doctor (no name included btw) clearly explained the procedure (operation) and risks involved and that is clearly NEVER the case in Egypt.... most of the people know very little about the procedures they will be undergoing and the side effects which sometimes are worse than the actual ailment.

Anyway this consent and waiver form is more applicable (and more acceptable) in countries like the US where lawsuits and claims are fired left and right so that one could gain a huge settlement from the overpaid (in their opinion) doctors and hospitals..... also a doctor's ratings there is hugely affected by the number of lawsuits against him and they will pay huge money to keep things away from court. (Not the case in our country.... we hear terrible tales about certain doctors but still go and see them under the impression that they are really clever in their field and what's a few mistakes!!).

Are they responsible h**l YES...... for sure external factors might affect any operation still it is the doctors responsibility and then the after treatment care and follow up from the hospital nursing staff that greatly affect the success or failure of any operation and effectively overcome any complications that may arise.

Rabena youstor 3leyna kolena (May God protect us All).

Answer 3

Hey there Kalooka..... nice horse!!

you are referring to the consent form a patient signs before he/she goes through an operation or any procedure for that matter.

that document being signed by the patient is legal proof that

1. the patient understands the type of operation being done and why it is necessary

2. that there are acceptable side effect that could happen during or after the operation. such acceptable side effects does not mean "acceptable"  by the patient but means that it could happen in the best hands. even if it means death.

Naturally, if I am told that I can die during a nose job then that is not acceptable to me but if it is open heart surgery then thats a different ball game. The risk of not doing the operation would be much worse that a 30 % death risk with the operation.... I hope I'm making sense to you.

however...... there are complications that are not acceptable medically.... again not by the patient. Like if someone goes for an operation and gets burned by the cautary machine or gets the wrong operation done. that is not acceptable.

Having said all that, I agree with hope that doctors are telling patients very little. the consent form means that the doctor has told the patient everyting about the operation and its possible side effects. It is tha resposibility of the doctor NOT THE PATIENT to make sure all information has been told and understood by the patient.

Any doctor who tells youn that there are no side effects or that nothing can go wrong is a fraud.. I would advise you to run like h**l if ever put in that situation.

Answer 4

@ Egypty :

looooooooooooooooool

i agree with Egypty

Answer 5

signing this paper wavers any blame on the doctor or hospital in case the patient is seriously injured or loses his/her life .

this paper is  not fair from my point of view .

who is to be blamed if/when something serious happens .

all that can be done is pray that all goes well  .

only God can save us from unfair humans .

Answer 6

Its so that you cant sue them if it goes wrong, unless there is proven negligence. Its the same all over the world, we have it in England too.

Answer 7

First tell me Kalooka, Everything is Ok with you??

About your question , I think Doctors this days is not a Doctors anymore like before, only few are really honest with the patients,

They are traders now, They think money-wise , they don't care about human souls anymore,

As Hope said, God bless us all, and protect us from any harm.

Answer 8

ahh..3ashan ya3ny law mot yeb2a akeed el 3'alat kan menak enta