3. Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues Flashcards
Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without patient’s consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.
abandonment
Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also a living will or health care directive
advance directive
The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.
applied ethics
Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.
assault
Unlawfully touching a patient or providing emergency care without consent.
battery
The study of ethics related to issues that arise in health care.
bioethics
Disclosure of information without proper authorization.
breach of confidentiality
A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical patient care.
certification
Damages awarded in a civil
compensatory damages
Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.
competent
Permission to render care.
consent
A legal defense
contributory negligence
An established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a particular profession, or to function as an organization.
credentialing
Ability to understand and process information and make a choice regarding appropriate medical care.
decision-making capacity
The communication of false information about a person that is damaging to that person’s reputation or standing in the community.
defamation
Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin; a definitive sign of death.
dependent lividity
Oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath.
depositions
The phase of a civil lawsuit where the plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other that will enable the attorneys to have a better understanding of the case and which will assist in negotiating a possible settlement or in preparing for trial. Includes depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of records.
discovery
Written documentation by a physician giving permission to medical personnel not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.
do not resuscitate (DNR) orders
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make a decision on his/her behalf, in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity.
durable power of attorney for health care
A medicolegal term relating to certain personnel who either by statue or by function have a responsibility to provide care.
duty to act
A person who is under the legal age in a given state but, because of other circumstances, is legally considered an adult.
emancipated minors