Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards
Ethics
A set of principles relating to what is morally right or wrong
Legal
based on a law
Bioethics
ethical implications of biotech and its principles
Problem with Law #1
Law allows many morally offensive actions
Problem with Law #2
Not all laws are enforced
Problem with Law #3
Law does not cover every situation a person may encounter
Items of Unprofessional Conduct #1
Practicing without a license
Items of Unprofessional Conduct #2
Impaired ability due to addiction/mental illness
Items of Unprofessional Conduct #3
Conviction of a felony
Items of Unprofessional Conduct #4
Insufficient record keeping
Items of Unprofessional Conduct #5
allowing an unlicensed person to practice
Items of Unprofessional Conduct #6
physical abuse of patients
Philosophies of Ethics - Utilitarianism
For the greatest good of the greatest number of people - encourages efficiency and productivity
Philosophies of Ethics - Rights-based ethics
places emphasis on individual rights
Philosophies of Ethics - Duty-based ethics
performing one’s primary duty to various people; duties and consequences should be universal
Philosophies of Ethics - Virtue-based ethics
individuals seeking the good life; based on people and not decisions/principles
Philosophies of Ethics - Justice-based ethics
based on the “veil of ignorance” and the impartial and equal treatment to all
Theories of Ethics
Teleological and Deontological
Civil Law
governs relationships between individuals
Criminal law
deals with wrongs against one’s property
Durable Power of Attorney
appoints another person to make decisions about another individual’s life when they are unable to do so
Living Wills
allows individuals to state what measures should/should not be taken to prolong life
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
eliminate discrimination in employment against a qualified individual with a disability
Coroners Court
Investigates and inquires into cause and circumstances of a death that is “reportable”
Reportable Deaths
- Unknown person
- Violent/unnatural death
- Suspicious circumstances
- Unexpected death out of a medical procedure
- cause of death certificate not issued
- death as in care
- death was in custody
- person had not consulted a doctor within three months prior to their death
Coronial Investigations
identity of deceased, when/where, circumstances of death
Coronial Inquests
doubt regarding case that draws public interest to prevent circumstances like this in the future
Coronial Comments/Recommendations
public health/safety to prevent similar deaths
Active Euthanasia
positive act (add something) to bring death
Passive Euthanasia
negative act (take something away) to bring death
Active VOLUNTARY Euthanasia
actively assisting someone in death (illegal in Australia)
Chronic Villus Sampling (CVS)
test to detect genetic effects as early as 10 weeks after gestation
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
congenital disease resulting in serious neurological effects if not tested within 24 hours of delivery
Pulmonary Surfactant
formed at 24 weeks and allows maturation of essential body organs
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
the federal law that ensures patients are aware of their rights
Patient’s Bill of Rights
Rights given to patients by the hospital
Patient’s Rights
factors of care that the patients expect to recieve
Resident’s Bill of Rights
List of rights given to residents by long term care faciliteis
The doctrine of Double Effect
administration of pain relief; must be an act of good nature and effect cannot be achieved by bad means
Common Law Refusal
a competent adult may refuse treatment even if it results in death
Organ Donation/Transplantation
body parts cannot be removed unless its for therapeutic purposes
Mandatory Reporting
practicing while intoxicated, engaging the sexual misconduct, placing the public at risk due to impairment, placing the public at risk due to practice
