Chapter 4 Vocab Flashcards
ethics
principles, either personal or societal, that determine right from wrong
morality
pertaining to conscience, conduct, or character
- can be used interchangeably with the word “ethics”
consent
agreement to medical interventions
common law
a decision made by a judge in court based on their interpretation of the law
liability
responsibility for an action
civil lawsuit
an action instituted by a person or company that sues another person or company
plaintiff
a person or company that is suing
defendant
a person or company that is being sued
tort
wrongful act that gives rise to a civil lawsuit
- 2 types: intentional and unintentional
damages
compensation awarded by the court
punitive damages
compensation awarded to the plaintiff for intentional or reckless acts done by the defendant
criminal prosecution
the government sues a person that prosecutors believe violated criminal laws
assault
when the defendant instills fear of bodily harm or breach of bodily security on the plaintiff
battery
when the defendant touches the plaintiff in a harmful or offensive way without their consent
false imprisonment
when the plaintiff is intentionally and unjustifiably detained against their will by the defendant
defamation
intentionally making a false statement that damages a person’s reputation
libel
a written false statement that damages a person’s reputation
slander
a verbal false statement that damages a person’s reputation
borrowed servant doctrine
principle that absolves your company from liability when you act beyond your scope of practice by someone else’s orders
due process
the right to a fair procedure when an infraction is in question
- 2 components
- notice of the actions of your possible infraction
- opportunity to be heard in a hearing
Medical Practice Act
- minimum qualifications a person must have to perform medical services
- defines the skills practitioners are legally allowed to use
- establishes means of licensure or certification for different health care professionals
scope of practice
medical care that you are allowed to perform under your license
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
law that provides criminal sanctions and penalties for releasing patient’s protected health info when it is not authorized by the patient
Emergency Metical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)
law prohibiting patient dumping and refusal of treatment based on the patient’s financial status
immunity
legal protection from penalties
