Key Terms to Study for the BCPA Exam Flashcards
Source: Patient Advocate Certification Board, Key Terms to Study for the BCPA Exam
Active Listening
Fully concentrating on what the intended message is rather than passively or superficially “hearing” the message of the speaker.
ADA
Americans with Disability Act, passed in 1990.
Advanced Directives
Legally executed documents that detail an individual’s healthcare-related wishes and decisions for end-of-life interventions.
Drawn up while patient is competent.
They may include Durable Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will.
Adverse Events
Any problematic occurrence, which under most conditions are not natural consequences of patient’s disease process or treatment outcome.
Appearance of Impropriety
When someone outside a situation (lay person) raises ethical questions without benefit of knowledge of the specific circumstances of situation.
Autonomy
The right and freedom of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions, fostering independence and self-determination.
Beneficence
The ethical obligation to promote good, support legitimate interests, and actively prevent and remove harm.
Biomedical Ethics
The application of ethics to the field of medicine and healthcare.
Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA)
A credential granted by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) to individuals who have met the established standards of knowledge and skills in patient and health care advocacy and have passed the certification exam.
Burden of Proof
The duty of producing evidence as the case progresses, and/or the duty to establish the truth of a claim by the preponderance of evidence.
Care Coordination
The deliberate organization of patient care activities and sharing of information among participants concerned with patient care to achieve safe and more effective care.
Clinical Pathway (Care Map or Critical Pathway)
A timeline of patient care activities and expected outcome of care.
Addresses the plan of care of each medical discipline involved in the care of a specific patient.
Usually developed prospectively by an interdisciplinary healthcare team in relation to patient’s diagnosis, health problems, or surgical procedure.
Care Plan or Plan of Care
Based on an individual’s unique needs and problems, a care plan is the outline and basis guiding the appropriate interventions, timelines, goals, and expected outcomes.
Chronic condition
A health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects or a disease that comes with time.
The term “chronic” is often applied when the course of a disease lasts more than three months.
Client-Centered Care
An approach to healthcare that respects and responds to the preferences, needs, and values of clients, ensuring that they guide all clinical decisions.
Client Expectations
The anticipation or the belief about what is to be encountered in a consultation or in the healthcare system.
The mental picture that patients or the public will have of the process of interaction with the system
The anticipation or the belief about what is to be encountered in a consultation or in the healthcare system.
The mental picture that patients or the public will have of the process of interaction with the system
Client Expectations
An approach to healthcare that respects and responds to the preferences, needs, and values of clients, ensuring that they guide all clinical decisions.
Client-Centered Care
A health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects or a disease that comes with time.
The term “chronic” is often applied when the course of a disease lasts more than three months.
Chronic condition
Based on an individual’s unique needs and problems, a care plan is the outline and basis guiding the appropriate interventions, timelines, goals, and expected outcomes.
Care Plan or Plan of Care
A timeline of patient care activities and expected outcome of care.
Addresses the plan of care of each medical discipline involved in the care of a specific patient.
Usually developed prospectively by an interdisciplinary healthcare team in relation to patient’s diagnosis, health problems, or surgical procedure.
Clinical Pathway (Care Map or Critical Pathway)
The deliberate organization of patient care activities and sharing of information among participants concerned with patient care to achieve safe and more effective care.
Care Coordination
The duty of producing evidence as the case progresses, and/or the duty to establish the truth of a claim by the preponderance of evidence.
Burden of Proof
A credential granted by the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB) to individuals who have met the established standards of knowledge and skills in patient and health care advocacy and have passed the certification exam.
Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA)
The application of ethics to the field of medicine and healthcare.
Biomedical Ethics
The ethical obligation to promote good, support legitimate interests, and actively prevent and remove harm.
Beneficence
The right and freedom of individuals to make their own healthcare decisions, fostering independence and self-determination.
Autonomy
When someone outside a situation (lay person) raises ethical questions without benefit of knowledge of the specific circumstances of situation.
Appearance of Impropriety
Any problematic occurrence, which under most conditions are not natural consequences of patient’s disease process or treatment outcome.
Adverse Events
Legally executed documents that detail an individual’s healthcare-related wishes and decisions for end-of-life interventions.
Drawn up while patient is competent.
They may include Durable Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will.
Advanced Directives
Americans with Disability Act, passed in 1990.
ADA
Fully concentrating on what the intended message is rather than passively or superficially “hearing” the message of the speaker.
Active Listening
Compassion
Recognizing the suffering of others and being so moved, takes action to help alleviate their pain.
Recognizing the suffering of others and being so moved, takes action to help alleviate their pain.
Compassion
Compassionate Care
Medical and emotional care for patients with terminal diseases to make their lives more comfortable when treatment proves futile.
Often referred to as hospice care.
Frequently it takes place in a patient’s home.
It provides private medical treatment as well as emotional support to help patients cope with the dynamic and final phases of life.
Medical and emotional care for patients with terminal diseases to make their lives more comfortable when treatment proves futile.
Often referred to as hospice care.
Frequently it takes place in a patient’s home.
It provides private medical treatment as well as emotional support to help patients cope with the dynamic and final phases of life.
Compassionate Care
Competence
The mental ability and capability to make decisions, accomplish actions, and perform tasks adequately.
The mental ability and capability to make decisions, accomplish actions, and perform tasks adequately.
Competence
Medical Competence
The ability to understand, retain, and weigh information about a medical condition and treatment options, and to communicate a decision.
The ability to understand, retain, and weigh information about a medical condition and treatment options, and to communicate a decision.
Medical Competence
A patient is considered to have decision-making capability if they can:
- Understand the relevant information about their condition and treatment options;
- Retain that information;
- Use or weigh the information as part of the decision-making process and communicate their decision.
Capacity is decision-specific and can fluctuate over time.
- Understand the relevant information about their condition and treatment options;
- Retain that information;
- Use or weigh the information as part of the decision-making process and communicate their decision.
Capacity is decision-specific and can fluctuate over time.
A patient is considered to have decision-making capability if they can:
Legal Competency
Competency determined by a court and refers to a person’s ability to participate in legal proceedings or make legally binding decisions.
Competency determined by a court and refers to a person’s ability to participate in legal proceedings or make legally binding decisions.
Legal Competency
Competencies
A set of demonstrable characteristics including the requisite knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and behaviors, which leads to effective performance in an individual’s professional activities or practice
A set of demonstrable characteristics including the requisite knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and behaviors, which leads to effective performance in an individual’s professional activities or practice
Competencies
Competency Assessment
The process of evaluating an individual’s ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, often through a standardized exam.
The process of evaluating an individual’s ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, often through a standardized exam.
Competency Assessment
Confidentiality
The rights of individuals to have their personal, identifiable health-related information kept private.
The rights of individuals to have their personal, identifiable health-related information kept private.
Confidentiality
Conflict of Interest
A situation with the potential to undermine the impartiality of a person’s judgement or practice because of the mismatch or incompatibility between the person’s self-interest and their professional or public interest.
A situation with the potential to undermine the impartiality of a person’s judgement or practice because of the mismatch or incompatibility between the person’s self-interest and their professional or public interest.
Conflict of Interest
Continuing Education (CE)
Ongoing professional education is required to maintain certification, ensuring that certified individuals stay current with best practices, emerging trends, and policy changes in their field.
Ongoing professional education is required to maintain certification, ensuring that certified individuals stay current with best practices, emerging trends, and policy changes in their field.
Continuing Education (CE)
Contract
A written or spoken agreement between two people concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, or performance of services that is intended to be enforceable by law.
A written or spoken agreement between two people concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, or performance of services that is intended to be enforceable by law.
Contract
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
A set of fifteen nationally iterated action steps intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
A set of fifteen nationally iterated action steps intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
Designated Healthcare Surrogate
An adult who is appointed to make healthcare decisions for a person when the person is unable to make decisions themselves.
An adult who is appointed to make healthcare decisions for a person when the person is unable to make decisions themselves.
Designated Healthcare Surrogate
Diagnostic Tests
Invasive or non-invasive procedures to gather clinical information for the purpose of medical assessment, establishing a diagnosis, and making clinical decisions.
Invasive or non-invasive procedures to gather clinical information for the purpose of medical assessment, establishing a diagnosis, and making clinical decisions.
Diagnostic Tests
Disability
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits the ability to perform one or more major life activities.
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits the ability to perform one or more major life activities.
Disability
Disease
A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of part or all of an organism, and that is not due to an external injury.
A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of part or all of an organism, and that is not due to an external injury.
Disease
The action of making information known.
Disclosure
Disclosure
The action of making information known.
Discriminatory Practices
Biased actions or behaviors against an individual based on age, race, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, medical condition, nationality, appearance, religion, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or social class.
Biased actions or behaviors against an individual based on age, race, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, medical condition, nationality, appearance, religion, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or social class.
Discriminatory Practices
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
A request and subsequent medical order from a physician to not have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed if the patient’s heart stops, breathing ceases, or there is no brain activity.
A request and subsequent medical order from a physician to not have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed if the patient’s heart stops, breathing ceases, or there is no brain activity.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
Enables a person to appoint an “agent,” such as a trusted relative, friend, or attorney to handle specific health, legal, and financial responsibilities for when they are unable.
Two types: Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Power of Attorney for Finances
Enables a person to appoint an “agent,” such as a trusted relative, friend, or attorney to handle specific health, legal, and financial responsibilities for when they are unable.
Two types: Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Power of Attorney for Finances
Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Gives a designated person the authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the person.
Gives a designated person the authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the person.
Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Power of Attorney for Finances
Gives a designated person the authority to make legal/financial decisions on behalf of the person.
Gives a designated person the authority to make legal/financial decisions on behalf of the person.
Power of Attorney for Finances
Empathy
The cognitive ability to recognize, understand, and share the perspective and feelings of another.
The cognitive ability to recognize, understand, and share the perspective and feelings of another.
Empathy
Empowerment
The process of enabling clients to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their care.
The process of enabling clients to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their care.
Empowerment
Ethical Decision-Making Models
Frameworks used to guide patients and healthcare advocates in making decisions that align with ethical principles.
Example: Beauchamp and Childress’ Four Principles of Biometric Ethics:
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice
Frameworks used to guide patients and healthcare advocates in making decisions that align with ethical principles.
Example: Beauchamp and Childress’ Four Principles of Biometric Ethics:
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice
Ethical Decision-Making Models
Beauchamp and Childress’ Four Principles of Biometric Ethics
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice
Autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
Justice
Beauchamp and Childress’ Four Principles of Biometric Ethics
Ethical Standards
A set of principles that promote values such as trust, good behavior, fairness, and kindness, guiding the professional conduct of patient and healthcare advocates.
A set of principles that promote values such as trust, good behavior, fairness, and kindness, guiding the professional conduct of patient and healthcare advocates.
Ethical Standards
Equity
The quality of being fair and just.
Recognizes that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and adjust imbalances.
The quality of being fair and just.
Recognizes that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and adjust imbalances.
Equity.
Equality
Providing the same to all.
Providing the same to all.
Equality
Fee for Service
A payment model where services an unbundled and paid for separately.
A payment model where services an unbundled and paid for separately.
Fee for Service
Fee Schedule
A listing of fees used by Medicare or commercial payers to reimburse physicians or other providers/suppliers.
A listing of fees used by Medicare or commercial payers to reimburse physicians or other providers/suppliers.
Fee Schedule
Handicap
Out-of-date term.
Used to describe the functional disadvantage and limitation of potential due to physical or mental impairment or disability.
Limits or prevents the fulfillment of one of more major life activities otherwise considered normal for that individual based on age, sex, and social and cultural factors.
Classification of role reduction resulting from circumstances that place an impaired or disabled person at a disadvantage compared to others.
Out-of-date term.
Used to describe the functional disadvantage and limitation of potential due to physical or mental impairment or disability.
Limits or prevents the fulfillment of one of more major life activities otherwise considered normal for that individual based on age, sex, and social and cultural factors.
Classification of role reduction resulting from circumstances that place an impaired or disabled person at a disadvantage compared to others.
Handicap
Habitation
Health care services that help an individual with a disability keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living.
Includes therapy for a child that isn’t walking or talking at the expected age.
Includes:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech-language Pathology
- Other Services for people with disabilities in a variety of inpatient and/outpatient settings.
Health care services that help an individual with a disability keep, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living.
Includes therapy for a child that isn’t walking or talking at the expected age.
Includes:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech-language Pathology
- Other Services for people with disabilities in a variety of inpatient and/outpatient settings.
Habitation
Guarantor
A person, organization, or a thing that guarantees something, usually payment.
A person, organization, or a thing that guarantees something, usually payment.
Guarantor
Health and Human Services Risk Management
The science of identification, evaluation, and treatment of financial and clinical loss.
A program that attempts to provide positive avoidance of negative results.
The science of identification, evaluation, and treatment of financial and clinical loss.
A program that attempts to provide positive avoidance of negative results.
Health and Human Services Risk Management
Healthcare Access
Refers to the ease with which an individual can obtain needed medical and behavioral health sciences.
Refers to the ease with which an individual can obtain needed medical and behavioral health sciences.
Healthcare Access
Healthcare Proxy
A legal document executed while competent that directs professional/agency who to contact for approval/consent of treatment decisions or options whenever the patient is no longer able or no longer deemed competent to decide themselves.
A legal document executed while competent that directs professional/agency who to contact for approval/consent of treatment decisions or options whenever the patient is no longer able or no longer deemed competent to decide themselves.
Healthcare Proxy
Healthcare System
The organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.
The organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.
Healthcare System
Healthcare Team
Those who provide care in the healthcare system.
Those who provide care in the healthcare system.
Healthcare Team
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT
Took effect is 1996.
Developed by Department of Health and Human Services
Provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed.
State laws providing additional protections to consumers are not affected by this rule.
Took effect is 1996.
Developed by Department of Health and Human Services
Provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed.
State laws providing additional protections to consumers are not affected by this rule.
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT
Hospice
A type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs.
A type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs.
Hospice
Hospital Acquired Infection
Also, as a nosocomial infection
An infection that is acquired in a hospital or other health care facility.
Also, as a nosocomial infection
An infection that is acquired in a hospital or other health care facility.
Hospital Acquired Infection
Independent Patient Advocate (Independent Health or Healthcare Advocate)
Advocates work directly for a client and are contracted by the client or by a guarantor (family, lawyer, etc.) on behalf of that client.
A professional patient advocacy relationship in this category exists when there is a service agreement or contract that defines the responsibility of each party.
Advocates work directly for a client and are contracted by the client or by a guarantor (family, lawyer, etc.) on behalf of that client.
A professional patient advocacy relationship in this category exists when there is a service agreement or contract that defines the responsibility of each party.
Independent Patient Advocate (Independent Health or Healthcare Advocate)
Informed Consent (Patient Criteria - in order for consent to be valid)
A patient must be competent/have decision making capacity
- General incompetence can determined only by a court of law
- Healthcare providers must ensure that patients have the capacity to make good decisions about their care
-Patient should be able to understand the material presented to them, including the benefits, risks and alternatives, and have the ability to make a rational decision in light of their values
A decision must be voluntary.
-Patient should not be unduly influenced by family members, healthcare professionals, or other agents
-Patient should not be impaired by medications or uncontrolled stress when giving informed consent
A competent patient can withdraw informed consent at any time.
-Healthcare professionals must respect a patient’s revocation of initial consent.
A competent person may decline any treatment - no matter how strongly recommended by healthcare team.
-Healthcare professionals must honor the patient’s decision, whether for or against suggested treatment.
A patient must be competent/have decision making capacity
- General incompetence can determined only by a court of law
- Healthcare providers must ensure that patients have the capacity to make good decisions about their care
-Patient should be able to understand the material presented to them, including the benefits, risks and alternatives, and have the ability to make a rational decision in light of their values
A decision must be voluntary.
-Patient should not be unduly influenced by family members, healthcare professionals, or other agents
-Patient should not be impaired by medications or uncontrolled stress when giving informed consent
A competent patient can withdraw informed consent at any time.
-Healthcare professionals must respect a patient’s revocation of initial consent.
A competent person may decline any treatment - no matter how strongly recommended by healthcare team.
-Healthcare professionals must honor the patient’s decision, whether for or against suggested treatment.
Informed Consent (Patient Criteria - in order for consent to be valid)
Informed Consent (Physician/provider criteria)
The American Medical Association lists important elements of the information component of informed consent.
Physicians must disclose to their patients:
- Patient’s diagnosis (if known)
- Nature and purpose of treatment or procedure
- Risks and benefits of proposed treatment or procedure
- Reasonable alternatives
- Relevant risks, benefits, uncertainties of each alternative
- Risks and benefits of not undergoing treatment or procedure
The American Medical Association lists important elements of the information component of informed consent.
Physicians must disclose to their patients:
- Patient’s diagnosis (if known)
- Nature and purpose of treatment or procedure
- Risks and benefits of proposed treatment or procedure
- Reasonable alternatives
- Relevant risks, benefits, uncertainties of each alternative
- Risks and benefits of not undergoing treatment or procedure
Informed Consent (Physician/provider criteria)
Informed Decision Making (Shared Decision Support)
A decision by a patient about a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure based on choice, which requires the decision to be voluntary by the person who has the capacity to understand information and make decisions on a set of values and goals.
A decision by a patient about a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure based on choice, which requires the decision to be voluntary by the person who has the capacity to understand information and make decisions on a set of values and goals.
Informed Decision Making (Shared Decision Support)
Impairment
A general term indicating injury, deficiency, or lessening of function.
A condition that is medically determined and related to the loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function.
Disturbances at the level of the organ include defect or loss of limb, organ, or other body structures or mental function.
A general term indicating injury, deficiency, or lessening of function.
A condition that is medically determined and related to the loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function.
Disturbances at the level of the organ include defect or loss of limb, organ, or other body structures or mental function.
Impairment
Institutional Patient Advocate
Hired by an institution, organization, corporation (hospital, managed care company, cancer center, employer, social service agency, labor union, etc.)
Work with the clients in a variety of services based on their scope of services and organization culture.
Hired by an institution, organization, corporation (hospital, managed care company, cancer center, employer, social service agency, labor union, etc.)
Work with the clients in a variety of services based on their scope of services and organization culture.
Institutional Patient Advocate
Insurance Risk Management
A comprehensive program of activities to identify, evaluate, and take corrective action against risks; these risks may lead to patient or staff injury with resulting financial loss or legal liability.
Program that aims at minimizing risk.
A comprehensive program of activities to identify, evaluate, and take corrective action against risks; these risks may lead to patient or staff injury with resulting financial loss or legal liability.
Program that aims at minimizing risk.
Insurance Risk Management
Integrity
Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Integrity
Interdisciplinary Care Teams
Teams play a vital role in improving patient care and quality outcomes.
By treating the whole patient - physically, nutritionally, emotionally, and psychologically - with a well-rounded team of clinicians and practitioners from a variety of professional disciplines
Holistic approach helps to ensure continuity of care
Teams play a vital role in improving patient care and quality outcomes.
By treating the whole patient - physically, nutritionally, emotionally, and psychologically - with a well-rounded team of clinicians and practitioners from a variety of professional disciplines
Holistic approach helps to ensure continuity of care
Interdisciplinary Care Teams
Social associations, connections, or affiliations between two or more people
Social associations, connections, or affiliations between two or more people
Social associations, connections, or affiliations between two or more people
Social associations, connections, or affiliations between two or more people
Justice
Maintaining what is right and fair
Making decisions that are good for a person
Maintaining what is right and fair
Making decisions that are good for a person
Justice
Liability
Legal responsibility for the failure to act appropriately or for action that does not meet the standard of care, inflicting harm on another person
Legal responsibility for the failure to act appropriately or for action that does not meet the standard of care, inflicting harm on another person
Liability
Lifelong Learning
Patient advocates are committed to lifelong learning to keep their knowledge and skills current, hone their professional expertise and keep abreast of current conditions in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Patient advocates are committed to lifelong learning to keep their knowledge and skills current, hone their professional expertise and keep abreast of current conditions in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Lifelong Learning
Living Will
A written document that helps tell doctors how a person wants to be treated if dying or permanently unconscious and they cannot make their own decisions about emergency treatment.
In a living will, a person can say which procedures (ventilators, feeding tubes, CPR, etc.) they would want, which ones they wouldn’t want, and under which conditions each of the choices apply.
When combined with a Durable Medical Power of Attorney, it becomes the Advanced Directive.
A written document that helps tell doctors how a person wants to be treated if dying or permanently unconscious and they cannot make their own decisions about emergency treatment.
In a living will, a person can say which procedures (ventilators, feeding tubes, CPR, etc.) they would want, which ones they wouldn’t want, and under which conditions each of the choices apply.
When combined with a Durable Medical Power of Attorney, it becomes the Advanced Directive.
Living Will
Mediation
A form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
A way of resolving disputes between two or more parties with concrete outcomes.
Typically, a third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate a settlement.
A form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
A way of resolving disputes between two or more parties with concrete outcomes.
Typically, a third party, the mediator, as
Mediation
Medical Error
A preventable adverse effect of care, whether or not it is evident or harmful to the patient.
Includes an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis or treatment of a disease, injury, syndrome, behavior, infection, or other aliment.
A preventable adverse effect of care, whether or not it is evident or harmful to the patient.
Includes an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis or treatment of a disease, injury, syndrome
Medical Error
Medical Malpractice
Occurs when a hospital, doctor, or other healthcare professional, through a negligent act or omission, causes an injury to a patient.
Negligence might be the result of errors in diagnosis, treatment, and/or aftercare or health management.
Occurs when a hospital, doctor, or other healthcare professional, through a negligent act or omission, causes an injury to a patient.
Negligence might be the result of errors in diagnosis, treatment, and/or aftercare or health management.
Medical Malpractice
Medical Durable Power of Attorney
A legal document which names a surrogate decision maker in the event the patient is unable to make his or her own healthcare decisions.
Often combined with the Living Will to become the Advanced Directive.
A legal document which names a surrogate decision maker in the event the patient is unable to make his or her own healthcare decisions.
Often combined with the Living Will to become the Advanced Directive.
Medical Durable Power of Attorney
Non-judgmental
Avoidance of judgement or criticism on the basis of one’s personal standards or opinions.
As a patient advocate, being open, tolerant, and accepting of difference is essential.
Negligence
Failure to take proper care to do something.
Behavior that shows failure to exercise appropriate or ethical care, harm caused as a result of failing to provide proper care or as a result of nonperformance or non-fulfillment of duty.
Omission to act when there is a duty to do so.
Failure to take proper care to do something.
Behavior that shows failure to exercise appropriate or ethical care, harm caused as a result of failing to provide proper care or as a result of nonperformance or non-fulfillment of duty.
Omission to act when there is a duty to do so.
Negligence
Avoidance of judgement or criticism on the basis of one’s personal standards or opinions.
As a patient advocate, being open, tolerant, and accepting of difference is essential.
Non -judgmental
PACB Board Certified Advocate (BCPA)
An individual who has met all conditions established by the PACB for the BCPA credential and agrees to practice in accordance with the PACB Competencies for Certification and the PACB Ethical Standards
An individual who has met all conditions established by the PACB for the BCPA credential and agrees to practice in accordance with the PACB Competencies for Certification and the PACB Ethical Standards
PACB Board Certified Advocate (BCPA)
Palliative Care
An interdisciplinary approach to specialized medicine and nursing care for people with life-limiting illnesses
It focuses on providing relief from symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress at any stage of illness
Goal to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family
An interdisciplinary approach to specialized medicine and nursing care for people with life-limiting illnesses
It focuses on providing relief from symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress at any stage of illness
Goal to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family
Palliative Care
Patient Abandonment
Legal term for terminating the physician-patient relationship in such a manner that patient is denied necessary care
PA is to be avoided. Legal liability becomes significant when the patient is injured by the failure to receive medical care.
Can be intentional or inadvertent.
Intentional abandonment is legally riskier because a jury may choose to award punitive damages as punishment for intentionally putting a patient’s health at risk.
Legal term for terminating the physician-patient relationship in such a manner that patient is denied necessary care
PA is to be avoided. Legal liability becomes significant when the patient is injured by the failure to receive medical care.
Can be intentional or inadvertent.
Intentional abandonment is legally riskier because a jury may choose to award punitive damages as punishment for intentionally putting a patient’s health at risk.
Patient Abandonment
Patient Advocate
A professional who provides services to patients and those supporting them who are navigating the complex healthcare continuum.
Advocates work directly with clients (or with their legal representatives) to ensure they have a voice in their care and information to promote informed decision making.
Advocates may work independently or in medical or other organizational settings.
They serve individuals, communities, disease-specific populations, and family caregivers.
Synonyms: health advocate, healthcare advocate, healthcare advocacy consultant, healthcare consumer advocate and others
A professional who provides services to patients and those supporting them who are navigating the complex healthcare continuum.
Advocates work directly with clients (or with their legal representatives) to ensure they have a voice in their care and information to promote informed decision making.
Advocates may work independently or in medical or other organizational settings.
They serve individuals, communities, disease-specific populations, and family caregivers.
Synonyms: health advocate, healthcare advocate, healthcare advocacy consultant, healthcare consumer advocate and others
Patient Advocate
Can be guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records, and the right to keep them private.
Many states have additional laws protecting patients, and healthcare facilities often have a patient bill of rights.
An important patient right is informed consent. This means that, if your need a treatment, your healthcare provider must give you the information you need to decide.
Can be guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records, and the right to keep them private.
Many states have additional laws protecting patients, and healthcare facilities often have a patient bill of rights.
An important patient right is informed consent. This means that, if your need a treatment, your healthcare provider must give you the information you need to decide.
Can be guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records, and the right to keep them private.
Many states have additional laws protecting patients, and healthcare facilities often have a patient bill of rights.
An important patient right is informed consent. This means that, if your need a treatment, your healthcare provider must give you the information you need to decide.
Can be guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records, and the right to keep them private.
Many states have additional laws protecting patients, and healthcare facilities often have a patient bill of rights.
An important patient right is informed consent. This means that, if your need a treatment, your healthcare provider must give you the information you need to decide.
Patient Safety Issues
The patient safety field uses the term adverse events to describe patient harm that arises as a result of medical care (rather than from the underlying disease).
Subcategories of adverse events include:
- Preventable adverse events - those due to error or failure to apply an accepted strategy for prevention
- Ameliorable adverse events - events that, while not preventable, could have been less harmful if the care had been difference
- Adverse events due to negligence - those due to care that falls below the standards expected of clinicians in the community
The patient safety field uses the term adverse events to describe patient harm that arises as a result of medical care (rather than from the underlying disease).
Subcategories of adverse events include:
- Preventable adverse events - those due to error or failure to apply an accepted strategy for prevention
- Ameliorable adverse events - events that, while not preventable, could have been less harmful if the care had been difference
- Adverse events due to negligence - those due to care that falls below the standards expected of clinicians in the community
Patient Safety Issues
Preventable adverse events
Those due to error or failure to apply an accepted strategy for prevention
Adverse events due to error or failure to apply an accepted strategy for prevention
Preventable adverse events
Ameliorable adverse events
Adverse events that, while not preventable, could have been less harmful if care had been different
Adverse events that, while not preventable, could have been less harmful if care had been different
Ameliorable adverse events
Adverse events due to care that fall below the standards expected of clinicians in the community
Adverse events due to negligence
Adverse events due to negligence
Adverse events due to care that fall below the standards expected of clinicians in the community
POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment)
Process designed to improve patient care by creating a system using a portable medical order form (POLST form) that records patient’s treatment wishes to be used across settings of care.
Intended to be used by individuals with a serious illness or frailty toward the end of life
Process designed to improve patient care by creating a system using a portable medical order form (POLST form) that records patient’s treatment wishes to be used across settings of care.
Intended to be used by individuals with a serious illness or frailty toward the end of life
POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment)
Practice Guidelines
Systemically developed statements or medical practices that assist a practitioner in making decisions about appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare services for specific medical conditions.
Developed by authoritative professional societies and organizations
Systemically developed statements or medical practices that assist a practitioner in making decisions about appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare services for specific medical conditions.
Developed by authoritative professional societies and organizations
Practice Guidelines
Quality of life (QOL)
An overarching term for the quality of the various domain of life
Standard level that consists of the expectations of an individual or society for a good life
Expectations are guided by the values, goals, and socio-cultural context in which an individual lives
A subjective, multidimensional concept that defines a standard level for emotional, physical, material, and social wellbeing
An overarching term for the quality of the various domain of life
Standard level that consists of the expectations of an individual or society for a good life
Expectations are guided by the values, goals, and socio-cultural context in which an individual lives
A subjective, multidimensional concept that defines a standard level for emotional, physical, material, and social wellbeing
Quality of life (QOL)
Release
A contractual agreement by which one agrees to relinquish a claim or right under the law to another individual against whom such a claim or right is enforceable
A contractual agreement by which one agrees to relinquish a claim or right under the law to another individual against whom such a claim or right is enforceable
Release
Resilience
Ability to recover and adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or stress - family/relationship problems, health problems, or workplace/money issues
Ability to recover and adapt in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or stress - family/relationship problems, health problems, or workplace/money issues
Resilience
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
A structured method used to analyze serious adverse events
Central tenant is to identify underlying problems that increase the likelihood of errors while avoiding the trap or focusing on mistakes by individuals
Uses the systems approach to identify both active errors and latent errors
One of the most widely used retrospective methods for detecting safety hazards
A structured method used to analyze serious adverse events
Central tenant is to identify underlying problems that increase the likelihood of errors while avoiding the trap or focusing on mistakes by individuals
Uses the systems approach to identify both active errors and latent errors
One of the most widely used retrospective methods for detecting safety hazards
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Active errors
Errors occurring at the point of interface between humans and a complex system
Errors occurring at the point of interface between humans and a complex system
Active errors
Latent errors
Hidden problems with healthcare systems that contribute to adverse events
Hidden problems with healthcare systems that contribute to adverse events
Latent errors
Scope of practice
Definition of the rules, the regulations, and the boundaries within which a fully qualified practitioner with substantial and appropriate training, knowledge, and experience may practice in a field of medicine, or surgery or other specifically defined field.
Such practice is also governed by requirements for continuing education and professional accountability
Definition of the rules, the regulations, and the boundaries within which a fully qualified practitioner with substantial and appropriate training, knowledge, and experience may practice in a field of medicine, or surgery or other specifically defined field.
Such practice is also governed by requirements for continuing education and professional accountability
Scope of practice
Second opinion
Obtaining an evaluation or clinical opinion by another practitioner for the purposes of becoming a more educated healthcare consumer, confirming a diagnosis is appropriate, confirming the recommended treatment is appropriate and/or comparing the outcomes of the treatments offered
Obtaining an evaluation or clinical opinion by another practitioner for the purposes of becoming a more educated healthcare consumer, confirming a diagnosis is appropriate, confirming the recommended treatment is appropriate and/or comparing the outcomes of the treatments offered
Second opinion
Self-Determination
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) is a federal law and compliance is mandatory
Purpose of the PSDA is to ensure the patient’s right to self-determination in healthcare decisions is communicated and protected
Through Advance Directives (Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney), the right to accept or reject medical or surgical treatment is available to adults while competent, so that in the event that such adults become incompetent to make decisions, they would more easily continue to control decisions affecting their healthcare
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) is a federal law and compliance is mandatory
Purpose of the PSDA is to ensure the patient’s right to self-determination in healthcare decisions is communicated and protected
Through Advance Directives (Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney), the right to accept or reject medical or surgical treatment is available to adults while competent, so that in the event that such adults become incompetent to make decisions, they would more easily continue to control decisions affecting their healthcare
Self-Determination
Stakeholders
Those persons involved in an action or decision who have an interest in said action or decision
Those persons involved in an action or decision who have an interest in said action or decision
Stakeholders
Standard (Individual)
An authoritative statement by which a professional defines the responsibilities for which its practitioners are accountable
An authoritative statement by which a professional defines the responsibilities for which its practitioners are accountable
Standard (Individual)
Standard (Organization)
An authoritative statement that defines the performance expectations, structures, or processes that must be substantially in place for an organization to enhance quality of care
An authoritative statement that defines the performance expectations, structures, or processes that must be substantially in place for an organization to enhance quality of care
Standard (Organization)
Standards of Care
Statements that delineate the care expected to be provided to all clients
Include predefined outcomes of care clients can expect from providers and are accepted within the community of professionals, based upon the best scientific knowledge, current outcomes data, and clinical expertise
Statements that delineate the care expected to be provided to all clients
Include predefined outcomes of care clients can expect from providers and are accepted within the community of professionals, based upon the best scientific knowledge, current outcomes data, and clinical expertise
Standards of Care
Standards of Practice
Statements of the acceptable level of performance, or expectations for professional intervention or behavior, associated with one’s professional practice
Generally formulated by practitioner organizations based upon clinical expertise and the most current research findings
Statements of the acceptable level of performance, or expectations for professional intervention or behavior, associated with one’s professional practice
Generally formulated by practitioner organizations based upon clinical expertise and the most current research findings
Standards of Practice
Statute
An act of a legislature declaring, commanding, or prohibiting an action, in contrast to unwritten common law
An act of a legislature declaring, commanding, or prohibiting an action, in contrast to unwritten common law
Statute
Statutory rights
A formal written law passed by a legislative body
Legally enforceable
A formal written law passed by a legislative body
Legally enforceable
Statutory rights
Surrogate
A person who has been expressly appointed by a patient, or by a medical provider if the patient has not done so, to make healthcare decisions for the patient.
Healthcare proxy, agent, and power to attorney
A person who has been expressly appointed by a patient, or by a medical provider if the patient has not done so, to make healthcare decisions for the patient.
Healthcare proxy, agent, and power to attorney
Terminal Illness or End-Stage Disease
An incurable disease that cannot be adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient
An incurable disease that cannot be adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient
Transitions of Care
The movement of a patient from one setting of care (hospital, ambulatory primary care practice, ambulatory specialty care practice, long-term care, home health, rehabilitation facility) to another or from one provider to another
The movement of a patient from one setting of care (hospital, ambulatory primary care practice, ambulatory specialty care practice, long-term care, home health, rehabilitation facility) to another or from one provider to another
Transitions of Care
Transparency
Institue of Medicine (IOM) definition: as making to the public, in a reliable, and understandable manner, information on the healthcare system’s quality, efficiency, and consumer experience with care, which includes price and quality data, so as to influence the behavior of patients, providers, payers, and others to achieve better outcomes (quality and cost of care).
Performance transparency broadly refers to making available to the public information related to clinical quality, resource use, and experience of care with individual physicians, hospitals, and other providers.
Institue of Medicine (IOM) definition: as making to the public, in a reliable, and understandable manner, information on the healthcare system’s quality, efficiency, and consumer experience with care, which includes price and quality data, so as to influence the behavior of patients, providers, payers, and others to achieve better outcomes (quality and cost of care).
Performance transparency broadly refers to making available to the public information related to clinical quality, resource use, and experience of care with individual physicians, hospitals, and other providers.
Transparency
Well-being
At a minimum, includes the presence of positive emotions (e.g., contentment, happiness), the absence of negative emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety), satisfaction with life, fulfillment, and positive functioning.
Can be described as judging life positively and feeling good
For public health purposes, physical well-being (e.g., feeling very healthy and full of energy) is also viewed as critical to overall well-being
At a minimum, includes the presence of positive emotions (e.g., contentment, happiness), the absence of negative emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety), satisfaction with life, fulfillment, and positive functioning.
Can be described as judging life positively and feeling good
For public health purposes, physical well-being (e.g., feeling very healthy and full of energy) is also viewed as critical to overall well-being
Well-being
