Taking his cue from the recent controversy surrounding end-of-life issues, a Florida cardiologist has developed a high-tech approach to obtaining informed consent from patients. Scott Pollak says his idea saves hospitals both time and money by automating a cumbersome process which can distract staff from other duties. The system uses a simple computer display mounted on a rolling cart which can be easily moved from room to room. Patients navigate a series of screens asking them if they understand the procedure they are about to undergo. Video clips explain procedure details and offer background information. Interactive Consent Systems says the units cost about $2,500 each.
For more on Interactive Consent:
- see this story from the Orlando Sentinel