ch 4 medical, legal, and ethical issues Flashcards
What is Scope of Practice?
Regulations and ethical considerations that define the scope of an EMT’s job.
How is a scope of practice defined?
By state legislation and regional guidelines.
What is standard of care?
How an EMT should provide care.
What is expressed consent?
Informed consent.
What is implied consent?
Assumed consent.
When it comes to consent, minors cannot _________.
refuse or give consent for treatment
What is In loco parentis?
When a legal adult acts in the place of a parent, such as a teacher during school hours.
What are possible exceptions to the rule of minors being unable to legally consent?
When a minor is emancipated from their parents
Life-threatening condition
Minors who have children
Minors serving in the armed forces
What are circumstances in which a patient can refuse care?
Patient is legally able to consent
Patient is fully awake
Patient is informed
Patient signs a “release” form
Should you consult medical direction in the case that a patient refuses care?
Yes.
What is a Do Not Resusitate (DNR) order?
A legal document that expresses a patients wishes to not be resuscitated.
What does POLST stand for?
A Physicians Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment.
What is negligence?
Something that should have been done that either was not done, or was done incorrectly.
What is proximate causation?
When a patient suffers harm because of something an EMT either did, or did not do.
What is a tort?
A civil wrong.
What is a legal term meaning “the principle that the occurrence of an accident implies negligence”?
Res ipsa loquitur.
What is abandonment?
If care has been initiated, but abandoned before being transferred to medical personnel of equal or greater training.
What are Good Samaritan Laws?
Laws that grant immunity from liabilities if a rescuer acts in good faith and within training.
What does HIPAA stand for?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
What conditions are Medical identification devices commonly used for?
Heart conditions
Allergies
Diabeties
Epilepsy
At the scene of a crime what is an EMT’s priority?
Patient care.
