Veterinarians: Digital Consent Before Surgery
Veterinarians: Digital Consent Before Surgery
It's 10:30 PM, and a golden retriever arrives with acute stomach problems. The owner is panicked, the dog needs immediate surgery. But first, consent must be signed regarding risks, costs, and treatment. In the old days, this meant printers that didn't work, illegible signatures in stressful situations, and papers lost in the chaos.
Today? The owner receives the consent form on their phone, reads and signs digitally while the veterinarian prepares for surgery. Everything documented, legally binding, and without wasting critical minutes.
The Critical Role of Consent
Veterinary consent isn't just a formality. It protects both veterinarian and pet owner by ensuring:
- Clear understanding of treatment scope
- Acceptance of procedure risks
- Agreement on financial matters
- Permission for potential follow-up treatments
- Documentation of informed decision
With ePact's digital solution, this critical process becomes both faster and more secure.
From Chaos to Control
A typical veterinary practice handles:
- Routine check-ups with vaccination consent
- Spaying and neutering agreements
- Complex surgical consents
- Euthanasia decisions
- Research participation
- Boarding agreements
Each situation requires specific documentation. Digital handling means:
- Standard templates ready to use
- Customization for specific situations in seconds
- Immediate archiving in patient records
- No disappearing papers
The Emergency Challenge
When an animal arrives in critical condition, every second counts. Digital consent solves multiple problems:
Remote consent: Owner on vacation? No problem - send link via SMS or email.
Multiple owners: Family pets often have several decision-makers. Digital platform can obtain consent from all relevant parties.
Language barriers: Digital forms can be pre-translated into multiple languages.
Stress reduction: Owners can read and understand at their own pace on their phone, rather than standing at reception with a dying dog in their arms.
Legal Security for Everyone
The veterinary industry is subject to strict documentation requirements. Digital consents ensure:
Indisputable documentation: MitID verification means owners cannot later deny consent.
Precise timestamping: Important for potential complaints or insurance questions.
Complete information: Digital forms ensure all points are covered - system doesn't allow signature until everything is read.
Audit trail: During inspections, practice has immediate access to all documentation.
Practical Daily Benefits
Preparation from home: Send consent form when appointment is booked. Owner arrives prepared.
Updates: Changes in treatment plan? Send additional consent digitally without owner having to stop by.
History: View previous consents for same animal - useful for chronic conditions.
Financial clarity: Cost estimates and payment terms in black and white, no misunderstandings.
Integration with Existing Systems
Modern veterinary practices already use digital record systems. ePact integrates seamlessly:
- Automatic archiving in patient records
- Link to billing
- Notifications to relevant staff
- Statistics on treatment types
Ethical Considerations Digitized
Euthanasia is never easy. Digital consent can actually make the process more dignified:
- Owner can read and consider in peace
- Family members can be involved even if not physically present
- Documentation ensures everyone agreed to decision
- More time for goodbye rather than paperwork
Start Digital - Create Better Animal Welfare
Veterinarians who have implemented digital consent report:
- 50% reduction in administrative time
- Fewer disputes about treatment scope
- Higher customer satisfaction
- More time for what matters: the animals
In a profession where every minute can save a life, digital consents aren't luxury - they're responsible practice. Because the time you save on paperwork is time you can spend healing.
