law and health care Flashcards
use of restraints
physical and chemical, ech facility needs a policy about restraint usage and situations when restraints can be used
patient self-discharge
a patient at any time– who is capable of making decision– is allowed to refuse care and leave *form
good samaritan law
stop and help someone with your abilities as long as your intent was to help someone you cannot be sued
whistleblower
laws that provide protection for whistleblowers so that they feel safe to come forward to report any wrong doings or anything they feel is unsafe care
consent
permission for something to happen or agreement to do something, each prov/ ter has its own legislation regarding consent
informed consent
consent to…
accept the treatment, desired outcomes, foreseeable risks,
aware of available options
voluntary consent
must not feel pressure, right to refuse at any time
criteria for consent
informed and voluntary
types of consent
express, written, oral, implied, in an emergency
express consent
can be written or oral, indicates clear choice of patient , usually requires patient to be fully informed
written consent
all major procedures, surgeries, medical interventions require written consent, ideally the patient should understnad the procedure, having signed the consent form may not hold up in court, if there is conflicting evidence, most need to be signed, dated and witnessed. witness needs to be comfortable that the client understands
oral consent
equally binding as written, spoken word in person or phone, some facilities require two HCP to validate telephone consent; protocols may vary, oral consent should be clearly documented in chart
implied consent
when someone seeks treatment at a doctors office or ER, by allowing themselves to be admitted, consent is implied for certain interventions: also includes sharing of health information with other care providers as need basis.
in an emergency consent
HCP should obtain consent in an emergency situation if possible if there is a barrier to obtaining consent and the HCP feels that delaying action may result in serious consequences, treatment may be provided without consent. important to document the situation clearly and concisely
who can give consent
competent person, legal representative (next of kin), legal power of attorney, when someone is legally assigned to make decisions
steps to obtaining consent
- assess capacity
- provide emergency treatment
- inform client that substitute decision maker will decide
- identify substitute decision maker
- obtain consent from substitute decision maker
Step one: assessing capacity
does hcp feel certain that the individual is able to understand and make decisions, age of consent (no min age except in quebec, if they understand treatment and potential risk able to decide), role of evaluator (determine capacity), role of capacity assessor (conducts assessment on individual who needs decisions made on their behalf), incapable person (consent is obtained from the highest ranked available substitute decision maker)
step 2 provide emergency treatment or crisis admission: treatment in an emergency can be provided immediately:
- if person capable of giving consent does so,
- in a situation where communication cannot take place or reasonable efforts to overcome barriers but delay may cause further harm
- person is incapable with respect to making treatment decisions but sub decision maker consents
- person is incapable with respect to treatment , sub decision maker not available
step 2 provide emergency treatment or crisis admission: crisis admission
person who has deemed capable require immediate admission as a response to crisis
it is not reasonably possible to obtain consent on the incapable persons behalf
step 3: inform client substitute decision maker will make decisions
ensure that the patient knows their rights, who will make decision for them
Step 4: identify substitute decision maker
a spouse, partner or relative who is present when the treatment is proposed may make decision unless a specially appointed substitute is available, a spouse, partner or relative with a higher priority and willing to assume the responsibility to give or refuse consent
(HCP can rely on persons statement, documentation is not required)
step 5: obtain consent from substitute
substitute is to make decision based on what the incapable person would want, if unsure make decision in best interest of incapable person
consent for deceased organ donation
prov/ter legislation, most 16 years or older, donor card, driver license, medicare card (nova scotia automatic donation)
the health record
variations depending on institution/ organization
contains information about individuals health and services provided
HCP can access health record only if part of circle of care
hospitals and long term care charts contain different sections to organize information