New web-based tool to strengthen informed patient consent process launched

Oct 8 2009

Krames, the leader in patient education, has announced the release of Krames Patient Consent, a comprehensive web-based tool designed to strengthen and streamline every aspect of the informed consent process. Krames Patient Consent is an intuitive program that includes a simple tool for creating customized informed consent documentation along with consumer-friendly illustrated patient education featuring plain language and Krames signature Health Literacy design principles.

“We developed Krames Patient Consent in response to repeated requests from our clients who were searching for a more effective, time-saving way to better handle the informed consent process,” explained George Parker, President and CEO of Krames. “Our focus was to not only address the accreditation, compliance and risk management aspects of informed consent, but to dramatically improve the critical role effective provider-patient communications has in setting clear expectations, supporting appropriate decision-making, and ultimately improving outcomes. Krames is uniquely positioned to provide an extremely valuable informed consent solution that leverages our 35 years of developing patient-friendly education content and provider-friendly electronic applications.”

Krames Patient Consent is also an indispensable tool for helping hospitals, surgery centers and physicians protect against medical malpractice claims that often result in a break down in the informed consent process. “Krames Patient Consent couldn’t have come at a better time,” added Sue Dill Calloway, RN, JD, Medical Legal Consultant. “In the past, informed consent was the primary responsibility of the physician and not the hospital unless the physician was an employee of the hospital. The recently revised CMS Hospital Conditions of Participation now require hospitals to have and execute an informed consent process that ensures that a patient’s right to informed consent is given to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. A tool such as Krames Patient Consent that can verify that an informed consent is given will not only benefit risk management and patient safety but also the patient and the physician.”