Current:Home > ScamsPennsylvania will require patient consent for pelvic exams by medical students-LoTradeCoin
Pennsylvania will require patient consent for pelvic exams by medical students
View Date:2024-12-23 20:38:33
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new Pennsylvania law will require doctors to get a patient’s verbal and written consent before medical students can perform pelvic or rectal exams on someone who receives anesthesia.
At a press conference Monday, supporters touted the recently enacted legislation, which goes into effect in January.
Tracking how often medical students are asked to perform pelvic, rectal or prostate exams on anesthetized patients is difficult, but concern about the procedures has led to a broad national effort to require informed consent for the procedures. At least 20 states have similar measures, with Colorado advancing some of the most extensive legislation so far.
Often, patient paperwork contains broad consent for a range of procedures that might be medically necessary while someone is anesthetized. But the documents can also include consent for educational purposes, allowing students to conduct medically unnecessary exams as part of their training.
Some doctors have called the legislative effort governmental overreach that will diminish trust. Supporters say the laws increase transparency and protect medical students from being made to conduct exams without informed consent.
“If a coherent person declines a pelvic, prostate or rectal exam, one would not be performed. Their response would not be open to interpretation,” said Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, a primary sponsor of the Pennsylvania legislation. “Unconscious persons should never be viewed as merely an object for learning.”
South Philadelphia resident Keren Sofer approached her legislator in 2019 after she believed an exam was performed on her without consent.
“Every single person, every time I shared my experience, were shocked because they too thought that being treated with dignity, respect and transparency in a medical facility — and especially when under anesthesia — was a given,” she said Monday.
The law will impose at least a $1,000 penalty for violations by health care providers. If a student in a training program conducts an exam without consent, the health care provider will be held liable, according to the legislation.
veryGood! (9734)
Related
- What is best start in NBA history? Five teams ahead of Cavaliers' 13-0 record
- Analysts say Ukraine’s forces are pivoting to defense after Russia held off their counteroffensive
- What would you buy with $750 a month? For unhoused Californians, it was everything
- Israel’s top diplomat wants to fast-track humanitarian aid to Gaza via maritime corridor from Cyprus
- Jared Goff stats: Lions QB throws career-high 5 INTs in SNF win over Texans
- Earthquake in China leaves at least 126 dead, hundreds injured
- Florida deputy’s legal team says he didn’t have an obligation to stop Parkland school shooter
- Germany’s top prosecutor files motion for asset forfeiture of $789 million of frozen Russian money
- A pair of Trump officials have defended family separation and ramped-up deportations
- Paige DeSorbo & Hannah Berner New Year Eve's Fashion Guide to Bring That Main Character Energy in 2024
Ranking
- Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin to kick off fundraising effort for Ohio women’s suffrage monument
- UK inflation falls by more than anticipated to 2-year low of 3.9% in November
- This AI code that detects when guns, threats appear on school cameras is available for free
- A rare and neglected flesh-eating disease finally gets some attention
- Miami Marlins hiring Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as manager
- Powerball lottery jackpot nearing $600 million: When is the next drawing?
- Federal judge orders texts, emails on Rep. Scott Perry's phone be turned over to prosecutors in 2020 election probe
- Cinnamon in recalled applesauce pouches may have had 2,000 times the proposed limit of lead
Recommendation
-
Amtrak service disrupted after fire near tracks in New York City
-
Powerball lottery jackpot nearing $600 million: When is the next drawing?
-
New 'Washington Post' CEO accused of Murdoch tabloid hacking cover-up
-
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are spending New Year's Eve separately. Here's why.
-
The Daily Money: Inflation is still a thing
-
Rite Aid covert surveillance program falsely ID'd customers as shoplifters, FTC says
-
Dancing in her best dresses, fearless, a TikTok performer recreates the whole Eras Tour
-
Party of Pakistan’s popular ex-premier Imran Khan says he’ll contest upcoming elections from prison