chaperone policy for intimate examinations

Physicians should minimize inquiries or history taking of a sensitive nature during a chaperoned examination. > Chaperone Policy. Acceptance was highest among Asian patients. This Policy is designed to protect both patients and staff from abuse or allegations of abuse, and to assist patients in making an informed choice about their examinations and consultations. There can be physical, psychological, and cultural reasons why chaperones may be requested or needed. Policies. Clinicians will explain to patients the rationale for the exam, what to expect during the exam, and the role of the medical chaperone. %PDF-1.6 It provides a set of principles and guidelines that can be applied to examinations that may be considered intimate by the patient. In fact, some prosecutors now argue that having a chaperone is the standard of care for intimate exams. Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present during such … The chaperone should usually be a trained health professional, although doctors should comply with 'a reasonable request' to have a … 15. We help to protect patients and improve medical education and practice in the UK by setting standards for students and doctors. The royal colleges,1 the General Medical Council, and the defence organisations now emphasise the importance of ensuring that these examinations are not done by unaccompanied doctors. Ultimately the patient’s clinical needs must take precedence. The general medical council (GMC) have published guidelines, ‘intimate examinations and chaperones 2013 , which recommend all patients irrespective of gender be offered a chaperone during an intimate examination.This should be documented within the medical notes at the time or immediately … This guidance gives you advice about putting your patient at ease. Chaperone Policy. Intimate examinations can be embarrassing or distressing for patients and whenever you examine a patient you should be sensitive to what they may think of as intimate. This policy promotes respect for the patient dignity and the professional nature of the examination. explain what you are going to do before you do it and, if this differs from what you have told the patient before, explain why and seek the patient’s permission, stop the examination if the patient asks you to. In general, use a chaperone even when a patient’s trusted companion is present. You must be prepared to explain and justify your decisions and actions. 3.7 A practitioner has a right to request that a chaperone is present during an intimate examination and may in any event normally be required to have one present under local policies which should always be consulted in addition to this guidance. The examination will normally be performed in a room that cannot be entered while the examination is in progress, except in an emergency. 47. All CWP staff Purpose. In this guidance, we highlight some of the issues involved in carrying out intimate examinations. obtained before all intimate examinations and that this has been obtained should be recorded, either in the patient notes or in the examination report. If either you or the patient does not want the examination to go ahead without a chaperone present, or if either of you is uncomfortable with the choice of chaperone, you may offer to delay the examination to a later date when a suitable chaperone will be available, as long as the delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health. chaperone policy for intimate examination 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Healthy Options for Women is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all time and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance. General Medical Council (2007) 0–18 years: guidance for all doctors London, GMC, paragraphs 27 - 28. You must follow this guidance and make detailed and accurate records at the time of the examination, or as soon as possible afterwards. For intimate examinations the doctor or nurse will often insist that you have a chaperone present for the examination. Every patient who needs an intimate exam defined as a genital, pelvic, rectal or breast examination, regardless of their or the clinician’s gender, will be offered a medical chaperone. Category Clinical Practice (Policies) Code CP74 Issue No 2.1 Target Audience. The latest GMC guidance Intimate examinations and chaperones (2013) says that doctors should offer the patient the option of a chaperone wherever possible before conducting an intimate examination. Introduction. In situations where abuse is suspected great care and sensitivity must be used to allay fears of repeat abuse. CP74 Chaperone and Intimate examinations Policy. General Medical Council (2012) London, GMC. Most patients (88%, 530/602) did not want a chaperone for future examinations. Participants were asked about their awareness of and frequency of requesting a chaperone while undergoing intimate examinations. This guidance has been designed to supplement the updated General Medical Council (GMC) guidance on intimate examinations should be read in conjunction with the GMC’s Good medical practice guidance The document applies to clinical radiologists but would also be applicable to other healthcare practitioners, such as sonographers. A.The purpose of this policy is to provide a consistent, standard and safe care environment within Michigan Medicine. 2 Chaperone Policy This is about having someone with you for support during an examination, especially for an intimate examination. A patient’s view and a doctor’s view of what an intimate examination is can be very different. << /Type /Page /Parent 1 0 R /LastModified (D:20210115144145+00'00') /Resources 2 0 R /MediaBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /CropBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /BleedBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /TrimBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /ArtBox [0.000000 0.000000 595.276000 841.890000] /Contents 10 0 R /Rotate 0 /Group << /Type /Group /S /Transparency /CS /DeviceRGB >> /Annots [ 7 0 R ] /PZ 1 >> The chaperone should usually be a trained health professional; … Intimate examination is an invasion of privacy and the issue is one of perception rather than reality, however for some patients the gender of the examiner and the chaperone may be Policy on the use of Chaperones during intimate care and examinations of Patients In particular you should: Before you carry out an intimate examination on an anaesthetised patient, or supervise a student who intends to carry one out, you must make sure that the patient has given consent in advance, usually in writing. at 16 a young person can be presumed to have the capacity to consent. A chaperone should usually be a health professional and you must be satisfied that the chaperone will: be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality; reassure the patient if they show signs of distress or discomfort; be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination Introduction to our chaperone policy. give the patient privacy to undress and dress, and keep them covered as much as possible to maintain their dignity; do not help the patient to remove clothing unless they have asked you to, or you have checked with them that they want you to help. This must not deter you from carrying out intimate examinations when necessary. All medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality, reassure the patient if they show signs of distress or discomfort, be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination, stay for the whole examination and be able to see what the doctor is doing, if practical. You must also follow our guidance on Protecting children and young people: the responsibilities of all doctors. These local policies often give advice on how to proceed if a patient refuses to have a chaperone present and the practitioner feels they may be at risk. Our impact on protecting patients and supporting doctors. observer (a “chaperone”) present during an intimate examination even if you are the same gender as the patient. 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