Ethical Responsibilities
Autonomy
Patients have the right to make decisions about their health-care, including whether or not they choose to receive treatment
Breach of contract
If one of the parties fail to fulfill his part of the agreement
Consent
Acceptance of treatment by the patient
Legislation
Required hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and hospices to have written policies regarding advance directives
Implied consent
Is indicated by the patient's actions: showing up for a medical appointment, opening the mouth for the dentist to administer an injection, or participating in therapeutic exercises
Ethical Dilemma
Situation in which there is no clear answer
Battery
Unauthorized touching of another person
Informed consent
The process in which the patient receives information about treatment and gives his or hers permission
Emancipated minors
Individuals younger than age 18 who are financially independent, married, in the military , or have been emancipated by a court
Express contract
Is created when the parties discuss clearly
and in detail what is to take place and agree
on specific terms and conditions
Ethics
Is a system of principles (fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for a system of beliefs) a society develops to guide decisions about what is right and wrong.
Assault
Any threatened or implied act
Advanced directives
These are written instructions that outline individuals’ desires regarding care should they become unable as the result of illnesses or injury, to make these decisions
False imprisonment
Can be charged if patients are held against
their will, unless they are mentally
incompetent or a danger to themselves
Express consent
More formal, either oral or in writing, in which a patient gives permission directly to the provider to receive treatment
Justice
Refers to fairness
Negligence
This is failure to meet the standard of care that can be reasonably expected from a person with certain training and experience.
Living will
Document that outlines an individual's wishes regarding the type and extent of care to be given
Fraud
Is a form of dishonesty that involves
cheating or trickery
Implied contracts
This means that the actions of the parties create the contract. In the dental example earlier, the actions of visiting the dentist, filling the tooth, and paying for the service fulfill the requirements of an implied contract.
Confidentiality
Individuals right to privacy
Malpractice
Term for improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment
Durable power of attorney for health care
individuals designate specific people to act on their behalf if they become unable to make health care decisions
Defamation of character
Disclosing unauthorized information
Euthanasia
Is performing an action that results in the death of a patient to alleviate suffering or when it is believed that there is no hope for recovery