Your reference did not remotely convince me that consent was required in this situation. I do not believe that the cath was material to be disclosed nor would a REASONABLE person use that knowledge as a basis of consenting to the procedure or not. Not that your reference wasn't accurate.
Although the local lawyer who has all the detail on this matter has concluded otherwise -- albeit not cost justified to pursue the matter.
Consider the following:
1. The patient was "on the fence" about having this procedure without knowledge of the cath.
2. The cardiac risks of an ablation are quite serious. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cardiac-ablation/MY00706/DSECTION=risks
3. This first ablation did not completely resolve his arrhythmias.
4. The Dr only gave a 70% chance of success for this ablation (meaning resolving the arrythmia without any of the serious risks from manifesting)
5. The patient was having intermittent success managing A-Fib w/ meds.
6. The costs of this procedure, given his insurance situation, are significant
7. The patient had deep seeded fear (apparently well founded), about the insertion of foreign devices into his penis and bladder (call him crazy).
8. The patient's wife was not supportive of the ablation being performed. I cannot tell you why, but I know this mattered to him
9. The patient could not afford to miss extended work time.
10. The patient's grandparent has been in a-fib for 25 years without treatment (other than meds) and continues to live a productive life. This influenced him.
The above items are facts. #11 is my opinion.
11. Had the patient known a urinary cath was going to be used, not only would #7 have discouraged him in and of itself, he also would have anticipated his psychological reaction to the use of a urinary cath (without complications). He probably could not even imagine the psychological reaction if it were used and something serious were to go wrong (as it did).
So given this situation, is it "reasonable" that knowledge of the use of a urinary cath would persuade a reasonable person from deciding not to have the ablation? Hell yes, IMO. He was 50/50 without this knowledge.
FYI -- still no improvement in his medical condition, nor any updates on when he might be released from the hospital.