Legal and Ethical Flashcards
Abuse
Any care that results in physical harm or pain, or mental anguish
Agent
Someone who has the power or authority to act as the representative of another
Assault and Battery
includes a threat or attempt to injure, and includes the unlawful touching of another person without consent
Civil Law
law concerned with private wrongs against individuals
Confidentiality
Not to be shared or told; to be held in confidence, or kept to oneself
Contract
To shorten, decrease in size, or draw together; an agreement between two or more persons
Criminal Law
the body of law dealing with crimes and their punishment
Defamation
Slander or libel; a false statement that causes ridicule or damage to a reputation
Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
document that permits an individual to appoint another person to make any decisions regarding health care if the principal should become unable to make decisions
Ethics
Principles of right or good conduct
False Imprisonment
Restraining an individual or restricting an individual’s freedom.
Health Care Records
are also considered privileged communications such records contain information about the care provided to the patient
Informed Consent
Permission granted voluntarily by a person who is of sound mind and aware of all factors involved
Invasion of Privacy
Revealing personal information about an individual without his or her consent
Legal
Authorized or based on law
Legal Directives
legal documents that allow individuals to stae what medical treatment they want or do not want in the event they become incapacitated
Legal Disability
A condition in which a person does not have legal capacity and is therefore unable to enter into a legal agreement
Libel
False written statement that causes a person ridicule or contempt or causes damage to the person’s reputation
Living Wills
A legal document stating whether a person desires on what measures should or should not be taken to prolong life when his or her condition is terminal
Malpractice
Providing improper or unprofessional treatment or care that results in injury to another person
Negligence
Failure to give care that is normally expected, resulting in injury to another person
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
legislation requiring that every competent adult be informed in writing upon admission to a health care institution about his or her rights to accept or refuse medical care and to use advance directives
Patients’ Rights
factors of care that patients can expect to receive
Privileged Communications
All personal information given to health personnel by a patient; must be kept confidential
Slander
Spoken comment that causes a person ridicule or contempt or damages the person’s reputation
Torts
A wrongful or illegal act of civil law not involving a contract
