Ch2 Principles of Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

Question 1

How do we make decisions?

Answer 1

• Personal
• Companies
• Medical
• Family

Question 2

Name and define the 2 integral components of decision-making in medical ethics

Answer 2

1. Beneficence - the performance of good acts (professionals should “do good”
2. Non maleficence - avoidance of evil

Question 3

What is the difference between beneficence and non maleficence?

Answer 3

(B) -goal to do good vs (NM) - goal to do no harm

(B) - achieved through active process (doing more) vs (NM) - achieved through passive omission (waiting it out)

(B) - secondary in importance to non maleficence vs (NM) - primary responsibility of healthcare provider

Question 4

The act of beneficence = RT wants …

The act of maleficence = act causes …

Autonomy = state of…

Answer 4

The act of beneficence = RT wants TO DO GOOD

The act of maleficence = act causes “HARM” TO PATIENT (ex, unknown pregnancy)

Autonomy = state of INDEPENDENT SELF-GOVERNMENT (patient’s decision to complete the exam)

Question 5

What do verbal and written agreements do? What’s an example?

Answer 5

Verbal and written agreements help the patient make decisions (autonomy)

ex) consent forms

Question 6

Describe surrogate obligations

Answer 6

Guardians making informed decision for the patient if patient is incompetent

Question 7

Define standard of care and 4 organizations that determine it

Answer 7

Standard of care - degree of skill or care practiced by a reasonable professional practicing in the same field

• ASRT - American Society of Radiologic Technologists
• JRCERT - Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
• HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
• JC - Joint Commission on Accredidation of Healthcare Organizations

Question 8

Answer 8

Question 9

What is negligence? How is it judged?

Answer 9

• Unintentional tort involving duty, breach of duty, and causation (that you’ve injured a patient)
• Judged on principle of “reasonable care” (what would a reasonable person in this situation do?)

Question 10

What is a tort and what does it do?

Answer 10

Tort = subdivision of civil law which actions are filed to

• It recovers damages for personal injury or property damage

Question 11

What are the types of tort (7)?

Answer 11

1. Assault (threat)
2. Battery (contact)
3. False Imprisonment (unwanted restraint)
4. Defamation (reputation)
5. Negligence (didn’t do duty)
6. Lack of Informed Consent (patient not being informed of risks)
7. Breach of Patient Confidentiality (unauthorized disclosure of patient phi)

Question 12

Define medical negligence

Answer 12

A breach of healthcare provider’s duty to follow the applicable standard of care, which results in harm to the patient

Question 13

Radiographers must perform ____ consistent with the department’s ____ and ____.

Answer 13

Radiographers must perform EXAMS consistent with the department’s POLICIES and PROCEDURES.

Question 14

What does “res ipsa loquitur” mean?

Answer 14

Latin for “the thing speaks for itself”

Question 15

Lawsuits claimed under res ipsa loquitor state that…

Answer 15

The injury couldn’t have happened if the person was not negligent

Question 16

What are some methods to decrease patient risk?

Answer 16

• Documentation - standardized and completely filled in by all parties involved
• All patient documents placed in their chart and submitted to medical records
• Indicent reporting - investigates injuries that take place in hospital or department

Question 17

How do incident reports happen?

Answer 17

1. Patient or employees report incidents
2. Reports are sent to risk management
3. Risk management analyzes report for common link
4. Prevents future errors

Question 18

Answer 18

Question 19

What are some technical detail issues?

Answer 19

• Correct image identification and care with films/images
• Correct left/right markers on image
• Timely distribution of reports
• Written
• Oral reports (to ER docs, in OR, read back to radiologist what you’re documenting)

Question 20

How should oral reports be documented?

Answer 20

• To whom it was given
• Date/time the report was given
• Initial the report (with radiologist you reported oral report to)

Question 21

What is the NCRP? What do they do?

Answer 21

• National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
• Set the standard for ALARA
• Give us rules/standards on:
• shielding patients
• collimatation of images
• holding patients
• pregnant patients

Question 22

What are some methods of transport for patient?

Answer 22

• Ambulatory - able to walk
• Wheelchair
• Stretcher

(think about MRI and CT areas)