Information Mode–Dependent Success Rates of Obtaining German Medical Informatics Initiative–Compliant Broad Consent in the Emergency Department: Single-Center Prospective Observational Study

2024

Success Rates of Obtaining Broad Consent in Emergency Departments

Sample size: 151 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lovis Christian, Senst Benjamin, Weerth Carsten, Hans Felix Patricius, Kleinekort Jan, Boerries Melanie, Nieters Alexandra, Kindle Gerhard, Rautenberg Micha, Bühler Laura, Weiser Gerda, Röttger Michael Clemens, Neufischer Carolin, Kühn Matthias, Wehrle Julius, Slagman Anna, Fischer-Rosinsky Antje, Eienbröker Larissa, Hanses Frank, Teepe Gisbert Wilhelm, Busch Hans-Jörg, Benning Leo

Primary Institution: University Emergency Department Medical Center—University of Freiburg

Hypothesis

What are the success rates of obtaining broad consent through different consenting approaches in a tertiary emergency department?

Conclusion

Obtaining broad consent in an emergency department is feasible, with face-to-face interaction yielding the highest consent rates.

Supporting Evidence

45% of eligible patients consented to at least one broad consent module.
Dropout rates were highest in the telephone-based group at 52.3%.
Face-to-face interaction during inpatient stay had the highest consent rate of 85.2%.

Takeaway

This study shows that getting permission from patients to use their health data is possible in emergency rooms, especially when talking to them in person.

Methodology

A single-center prospective observational study was conducted in a German tertiary emergency department, where every 30th patient was screened for eligibility and informed about broad consent through three different modalities.