Verbal Consent for Provider-to-Provider Communication
Yes, you can call another healthcare provider caring for your patient with verbal permission, but you must fully document this verbal consent in the medical record. 1
Documentation Requirements
The verbal permission must be thoroughly documented in the patient's medical notes, including:
- The date and time consent was obtained 1
- The specific information the patient authorized you to share 1
- The identity of the other provider(s) you are permitted to contact 1
This documentation standard mirrors the approach used for emergency procedures where written consent cannot be obtained but verbal consent is acceptable when properly recorded. 1
Key Principles for Information Sharing
Never share patient-identifiable information with third parties without express patient permission. 1 The guidelines are explicit that forwarding patient information to colleagues requires the patient's express permission, even for consultation purposes. 1
When the patient gives verbal permission to contact another provider:
- Limit the information shared to what is clinically necessary for coordinated care 1
- Ensure the communication serves the patient's best interests 1
- Maintain confidentiality standards throughout the communication 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not assume implied consent - even though another provider is involved in the patient's care, you still need explicit permission to share information. 1 The fact that multiple providers are caring for the same patient does not automatically authorize information exchange without patient knowledge.
Avoid leaving detailed messages on unsecured communication channels (voicemail, unencrypted email) even with verbal consent, as this may compromise confidentiality beyond what the patient authorized. 1
Best Practices
While verbal consent is legally sufficient when documented, consider: