Improved patient awareness and satisfaction using procedure specific consent forms in carpal tunnel decompression surgery.

Carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) is a common procedure amenable to procedure specific consent forms (PSCFs). These may help better inform patients and so increase patient satisfaction with the consent process. We assessed the use of a PSCF for CTD. The PSCF mentions eight complications of carpal tunnel surgery and alternative non-operative treatments. Two groups of 40 patients each were compared prospectively. Patients in one group were issued with a PSCF prior to admission whereas those in the other group were not. After standard pre-operative consent, patients were interviewed prior to surgery and assessed for their awareness of complications and alternative treatment options. The patients who received a PSCF showed greater awareness of different complications and alternative treatments and reported greater satisfaction with the consent process. We conclude that using PSCFs is a very useful and inexpensive adjunct to improve patient awareness and satisfaction with the consent process.