Medical Law And Ethics Flashcards
Good Samaritan laws
Laws that protect a healthcare professional from liability when giving emergency care or first aide to an accident victim
Felony
Carries a punishment of imprisonment in a state or federal prison or death
Civil law
Concerns relationships between individuals or between individuals and the government
Criminal law
Made to protect the public as a whole from the harmful acts of others
Medical records
Patients can find out who had access to their private health information whether the doctors office agrees to let them know or not
The Statue of Limitations
Refers to the period of time during which a patient has to file a lawsuit
Res ispa loquitur
- Means “it speaks for itself”
- tells us that the breach of duty is so obvious that it does not need further explanation
Medical assistants
- An MA should always identify themselves as a medical assistant in the office
- Must undergo a HIPPA training during his or her orientation
MA’s responsibility with office management
- Log and return telephone calls promptly
- relay any dissatisfied patients comments to the physician
- never make promises of what the physician can do for the patient
For D’s in order to prove negligence
- direct cause
- damages
- duty
- dereliction or neglect of duty
General liability
Employers carry coverage to cover acts of their employees during the course of their duties
Uniform anatomical gift act
This allows a person 18 or older and of sound mind to make a gift of any or all parts of their body for purpose of organ transplants and medical research
Abandonment
The physician may be charged with abandonment of the patient if he or she does not give a formal notice of withdrawal from the case
Negligence
- physicians are not expected to expose their patients to undue risk
- if a physician violates the standard of care he or she is liable for negligence
Informed consent
- Will inform you when risks are commonly known
- Indicates he or she understands the limits and risks involved in a treatment or surgical procedure
The doctrine of informed consent
- explanation of advantages and risks of treatment
- alternatives available to the patient
- potential outcomes to the treatment
The termination of contracts
Generally occurs when the treatment has ended and fees have been paid
Guardian as litem
An adult appointed by the court who will act in the court on behalf of the child