Terminating a D/P Relationship

Question 1

The US Supreme Court interprets the Constitution as guaranteeing certain rights not expressly mentioned like:

Answer 1

privacy and freedom of choice

Question 2

What is the consumer bill of rights 1962 (kennedy)?

Answer 2

established product liability and legal rights of consumers

Question 3

What are rights of consumers?

Answer 3

right to safety, to be informed, to choose, to be heard

Question 4

What is the patient bill of rights 2001?

Answer 4

passed by the US Senate 59-36 that ultimately failed

Question 5

What acts support patient rights?

Answer 5

Patient self determination act, health insurance portability and accountability act, patient protection and affordability

Question 6

T/F SCO has a patient bill of rights and responsibilities?

Answer 6

true

Question 7

Why expect patient responsibilities?

Answer 7

greater involvement by patients increases likelihood of achieving the best possible outcomes, supports quality assessment and process improvement

Question 8

Should you inform patients about their responsibilities?

Answer 8

yes

Question 9

What issues are not completely under the patient’s volitional control?

Answer 9

smoking, illegal substance use, use of Rx CNS meds etc

Question 10

What factors may influence a patient’s acceptance of medical advice?

Answer 10

culture, psychological makeup, economic status, satisfaction with the provider

Question 11

What are examples of communication errors?

Answer 11

patient and doctor have a different understanding of what the patient is to do, patient lacks info about disease, pathology, or symptoms, or patient does not understand the purpose of the intervention

Question 12

T/F both patients and doctors are free to end the relationship at any time

Answer 12

false, patients are free to end the relationship at any time but doctors are not

Question 13

What is essential on the doctors side for a doctor patient relationship termination?

Answer 13

written documentation

Question 14

Why can a doctor patient relationship end?

Answer 14

completion of treatment, failure to pay for services or materials, non-compliance, behavior of patient not directly related to care or treatment

Question 15

What are essential steps of terminating a relationship?

Answer 15

timing, communication and record keeping

Question 16

What is the timing component of terminating a relationship?

Answer 16

terminated at a normal stopping point in treatment

Question 17

What is the communication component of terminating a relationship?

Answer 17

communication in writing with documentation of reasons, any need for continued care, and referral options

Question 18

Where can you find an example template on terminating a relationship?

Answer 18

the AOA ethics forum

Question 19

What does a termination letter need to contain?

Answer 19

clear statement that it is over, reason, statement of availability for a limited time for record access at no charge, a statement that you are willing to forward copies of records, what is expected regarding outstanding balances, the date and signature of the OPTOMETRIST (no one else)

Question 20

T/F make sure you get a certified mail receipt

Answer 20

true

Question 21

What is patient abandonment?

Answer 21

intentional or unintentional, frank withdrawal of care, failure to follow up/continue to treat

Question 22

What proof does the patient need for abandonment?

Answer 22

show that damage occurred as a result of the delay or withdrawal of care

Question 23

What are the four elements of abandonment?

Answer 23

care was unreasonably discontinues, doctor failed to arrange for appropriate care, foresight indicated that harm might result with discontinuation, actual harm was suffered by the patient