The diagnostic imaging practice must implement a policy on consumer consent and information that includes:
Assessing individual patient risk
Obtaining informed consent
Documenting consent (for verbal and written consent).
For each patient, the diagnostic imaging practice must:
- Determine the level of risk associated with each diagnostic imaging procedure for the individual patient
- Conduct an informed consent process
- Regardless of the type of consent required, document the patient’s consent in the patient’s healthcare record
Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedures
Obtain informed consent in writing for nuclear medicine imaging procedures that are high-risk based on the patient's circumstances.
For most patients, administering a radiopharmaceutical for a nuclear medicine imaging procedure is not high-risk when performed in line with appropriate professional standards.
The insertion of an intravenous cannula does not of itself present a significant risk that would require a patient to give written consent.
Transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound procedures
Verbal informed consent is sufficient for low-risk transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound procedures.
The diagnostic imaging practice must obtain written consent for all high-risk procedures, such as those which use transvaginal or transrectal scanning for interventional procedures (including biopsies) or are determined to be high-risk for the individual patient.
