Ethics/Documentation Flashcards
Why is proper documentation important in dentistry?
It helps the dental team function cohesively.
What is the ethical, moral, and legal responsibility of healthcare professionals?
Treat patients safely and provide legal protection for the practitioner.
What is the patient’s health record?
A vital aspect of legal documentation.
What are your responsibilities for health record documentation?
Ensure it is accurate, legible, grammatically correct, and spelled correctly.
Is the health record admissible in court?
Yes, it is evidence in a court of law.
What types of patient communication must be documented?
Verbal, text, and email interactions.
What must be documented about treatment plan options?
All options presented by the dentist, dental hygiene faculty, or yourself.
What does HIPAA stand for?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
What must be documented about care provided?
All care provided, who provided it, and specific treatments like local anesthesia or laser procedures.
What right do patients have regarding their health information?
The right to keep it private.
What is the purpose of HIPAA?
To create national standards protecting sensitive health information from unauthorized disclosure.
What must patients do regarding caregivers in the operatory?
Provide permission for caregivers or others to accompany them. (caregiver consent from)
How do patients control the use of their health information?
They state how it will be used and by whom.
What does HIPAA require to protect patient information?
Implementation of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
What are your responsibilities?
- Complete annual HIPAA training
- Lock your computer anytime you leave the computer area,
- Only access the patient chart you need for the appointment.
- Quiet voices when discussing patients with faculty or other students
- Shredding papers that contain any protected health information
- Using strong passwords
- Using current anti-virus software
- Locking offices and cabinets
- Using privacy screens
How do dental hygienists demonstrate professionalism?
By ensuring actions, behaviors, and attitudes align with a commitment to public service and endorsing the Code of Ethics.
What is the purpose of a professional code of ethics?
To achieve high levels of ethical consciousness, decision-making, and practice.
Specific objectives of the Dental Hygiene Code of Ethics are:
- to increase our professional and ethical consciousness and sense of ethical responsibility.
- to lead us to recognize ethical issues and choices and to guide us in making more informed ethical decisions.
- to establish a standard for professional judgment and conduct.
- to provide a statement of the ethical behavior the public can expect from us.
We recognize the importance of the following beliefs:
- The services we provide contribute to the health and well being of society.
- Our education and licensure qualify us to serve the public by preventing and treating oral disease and helping individuals achieve and maintain optimal health.
- Individuals have intrinsic worth, are responsible for their own health, and are entitled to make choices regarding their health.
- Dental hygiene care is essential component of overall health care and we function interdependently with other health care provides.
- All people should have access to health care, including oral health care.
- We are individually responsible for our actions and quality of care we provide.
ADHA Code of Ethics Identifies five fundamental principles:
- Universality
- Complementarily
- Ethics
- Community
- Responsibility
What does the principle of universality expect?
That if one person judges an action as right or wrong, others in the same situation should make the same judgment.
What does the principle of complementarity recognize?
An obligation to justice and human rights, requiring consideration of others’ values and perspectives before taking action.
What are ethics?
General standards of right and wrong that guide behavior within society, promoting good and minimizing harm.
What does the principle of community express?
Concern for the bond between individuals, the community, and society, including preserving natural resources and global environmental care.
