§ 19 Informing patients and passing on results

In detail

What § 19 requires

1. As part of the duty to inform, you explain in particular the relevant risks, the treatment alternatives that come into question, the side effects of diagnostic procedures and treatments including medicines, and the expected costs the patient pays themselves § 19(1).
2. You make sure the patient and, where necessary, the referring doctor are told the results § 19(2).
3. If something necessary can't be made understandable, you include relatives, companions or other people, in agreement with the patient § 19(3).
4. You observe the special rules for minors, for people with an adult representative, and for others with limited capacity to decide or a greater need for advice § 19(4).

What works as proof

• the documented explanation in the patient file; information and consent forms are kept for at least ten years § 17(5);
• information sheets for procedures and for services patients pay themselves;
• a rule on who passes on results, how, and when the referring doctor gets them.

Common gaps

• Costs aren't explained for optional paid services.
• Results arrive, but nobody is responsible for passing them on.