Good evening Kevin,
This makes perfect sense, and it's a situation many of us encounter when a procedure routinely includes additional components like a TEE.
At many institutions, the key requirement is that the consent accurately reflects all parts of the procedure the patient will undergo, even if the original order doesn't list each component. Handwritten additions to the consent-with clear wording and the patient's initials-are fairly common, as long as the clinician explains the addition and the performing physician is aware and in agreement.
That said, there can be important differences from one facility to another in how consents must be handled. Because this process is often dictated by local policy, medical staff bylaws, or legal/risk management standards, it would be helpful to confirm with your department leadership or your risk management team to ensure the approach aligns with your institution's requirements.
Hope this helps-great question, and one that comes up often in EP workflows.
Best,
Jessica
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Jessica Mullenix AGNP, CEPS
Clinical Electrophysiology
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2026 20:51
From: Mr. Kevin Bahr, BS, MHA, CCT, CRAT, RCES, RCIS, DHA, CEPS
Subject: Consents
Good evening,
I have a questiona about consents. Where I am at, the doctor sends an order over, for example A Fib ablation. On the order sheet, it states to get a consent signed for Atrial Fibriallation ablation. Because the TEE is a part of the procedure, the Physician does not request in the order to have the consent to include the TEE. I am being told that we have to add this to to the consent and have the patient initial next to that addition that we will be doing an TEE as well. My question is this...since the Physician did not include that on his order sheet, is it allowed to hand written and added and initialed by the patient for the TEE on the consent.
Hope this make sense.
Thank you in advance
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Kevin Bahr BS, MHA, CCT, CRAT, RCES, RCIS, DHA, CEPS
Lead Electrophysiology Tech
HCA Lake Monroe Hospital
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