Medical Legal Concepts In Wilderness Medicine Flashcards
What is “scope of practice” and “standard of care?” How can you clarify your role with
these in the outdoors?
Scope of practice: Care a provider can provide
Whatever you have been trained and cleared to do
Standard of care: How care is measured
Determined by the level of training and the protocols under which you practice
WFR standard of care is widely accepted first aid (current protocols and what is generally acceptable for what you should do for first aid)
Administering prescribed medication
Relocating dislocations
Focused spine assessments
Making evacuation decision
Always changing and not clear in many circumstances
Need to be adaptable and able to improvise
Improvisation based on weather, gear available, patient needs and injury, conditions
Why is it important to document what you’ve done on a SOAP note?
Serves as communication between medical care providers: What you did, when you did it, and how you did it
Invaluable if your level of care is challenged in a legal process
Document your assessment, treatment, and any changes in the patient’s condition while under your care
Why is it important to document what you’ve done on a SOAP note?
Serves as communication between medical care providers: What you did, when you did it, and how you did it
Invaluable if your level of care is challenged in a legal process
Document your assessment, treatment, and any changes in the patient’s condition while under your care
What is the difference between informed and implied consent?
Informed: ongoing and throughout care. Reliable patient agrees to treatment after being informed of the risks and benefits
Implied: unreliable patient, altered mental status, not fully alert and orientated, cannot demonstrate their comprehension of the risks and benefits. Applies to minors whose parents are not available to give consent
What is abandonment in the legal context?
Stopping care too soon
Transferring patient to someone who is not able to provide the care the patient needs
What is your role with medication administration as a WFR?
Remind, encourage, and Assist participants in the administration of prescription meds
Offer OTC medications for adults to make decisions on their own
Understand epi laws in their area, including county, company, and workplace protocols
What are some examples of how the Good Samaritan Law can fail to apply?
If the person rendering emergency care caused the emergency, either in whole or in part
If the person rendering emergency care is not acting in good faith
If the person rendering emergency care is compensated for the care given or not provided gratuitously
If the person rendering emergency care commits gross negligence when rending care
If the person rendering emergency care has a preexisting duty to care for the patient
What should you do to clarify jurisdiction if you own an outdoor-related company or
Service?
Jurisdiction should be expressly stated in the contract
