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S 9
been adhered to. It can also provide evidence of
information given to patients and clarification of
treatment, for example, amputation of lower limb
in theatre under general anaesthetic. However,
patients do have a right to withdraw their consent
at any stage before, or during the course of the
debridement technique.
12
Regardless of debridement technique it is essential
that patients are given adequate information in
order to reach an informed decision and consent
to treatment. Focus should be on all methods
of debridement and not just surgical and sharp
debridement. Consent is not just a signature on a
piece of paper,
13
it is an active participation of the
patient in the decisions about their own health care.
An example of a debridement consent form can
be found in Appendix 3.
‘
Theobjectiveistoprovideanupdated
overviewwithregardtodebridement
anditsmethods,togetherwitha
suggestionforanoverallclinical
algorithmwhichdefinesthewhy,
whenandhowofdebridement
’
