Ethical Responsibilities
What is a code of ethics?
To set standards of professional conduct that promote the welfare of patients and ensure a high quality of care.
Breach of contract
If one of the parties fails to fulfill their part of the agreement.
Confidentiality
Patients have a legal right to privacy concerning their medical affairs.
Defamation of Character
Disclosing unauthorized information that results in being charged with harming the reputation of another.
A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication dosage to a patient due to careless chart reading. This is a classic example of this term.
Negligence.
What is beneficence?
The ethical principle that requires healthcare providers to act in the absolute best interest of the patient.
Malpractice
Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment.
Informed consent
The process in which the patient receives information about the treatment and gives his or her permission.
Designation of health care surrogate/representative, where individuals designate specific people to act on their behalf if they become unable to make healthcare decisions.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Written defamation of character that falsely damages a patient's or colleague's reputation.
Libel
An ethical dilemma occurs when a patient's family wants to prolong life support, but the patient's living will states otherwise.
Conflict between autonomy and family wishes.
Assault
Any threatened or implied act, whether carried out or not.
Advance directives
Written instructions that outline individuals’ desires regarding care should they become unable as the result of illness or injury, to make these decisions.
Created when the parties discuss clearly and in detail what is to take place and agree on specific terms and conditions.
Express contract
An agreement between two or more parties that creates enforceable legal obligations.
Contract
The principle of "doing no harm" to a patient during treatment or procedures.
Non-maleficence
False imprisonment
If patients are held against their will, unless they are mentally incompetent or a danger to themselves.
A specific type of advance directive that lists exact medical treatments a patient wants or refuses if they are terminally ill.
Living Will
Implied contracts
The actions of the parties create the contract.
A medical professional performs an emergency procedure on an unconscious patient without a signature. This type of legal consent applies here.
Implied consent.
The moral obligation to distribute healthcare resources, time, and care fairly and equally among all patients.
Justice
Libel
When the defamation of character is disclosed in written form.
The patient's right to accept or refuse any medical treatment, even if that refusal could lead to death.
Patient autonomy
Employers can be held liable for the behavior and actions of their employees.
Respondeat superior
A document designating a trusted person to make health care decisions on a patient's behalf if they lose the ability to do so themselves.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare