CHAPTER 3 Flashcards
Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient’s consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training neccessary to meet the needs of the patient
Abandonment
Written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called 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 wtihout proper authorization
Breach of confidentiality
Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit that are intended to restore the plaintiff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the incident.
Compensatory damages
Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being
Competent
In the context of EMS, permission to render care.
Consent
A legal defense that may be raised when the defendant feels that the conduct of the plaintiff somehow contributed to any injuries or damages that were sustained by the plaintiff
Contributory Negligence
An established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a particular, 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, which will assist in negotiating a possible settlement or in preparing for trial. This phase includes despositions, 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 order (DNR)
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf, in the event that a person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity.
Durable power of attorney for health care
A medical term relating to certain personnel who either by statute or by function have a responsibility to provide care.
Duty to act
A person who is under the legal age in a given starte but, because of other curcumstances, is legally considered an adult.
Emancipated minor
A serious situation, such as injury or illness that threatens the life or welfare of a person or group of people and requires immediate intervention.
Emergency