Ethical Responsibilities
The system of moral principles and values that guide decisions about right and wrong behavior.
What is Ethics?
Performing an unauthorized medical procedure or touching a patient without their permission.
What is Battery?
The federal law passed in 1996 that sets national standards to protect patient health information privacy.
What is HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)?
A legal document detailing a patient's wishes regarding end-of-life care and life support options.
What is a Living Will?
A form of dishonesty in health care involving intentional deception for financial gain, such as billing for services not rendered.
What is Fraud?
The ethical principle that requires health care providers to respect a patient's right to make their own medical decisions.
What is Autonomy?
The failure to meet the expected standard of care, resulting in unintended injury or harm to a patient.
Answer: What is Negligence?
Verbal defamation that damages a person's reputation through false statements spoken aloud.
What is Slander?
A document designating a surrogate decision-maker to handle medical choices if a patient becomes incapacitated.
What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?
Standardized step-by-step methods for performing workplace tasks detailed in facility policy manuals.
What are Protocols?
A situation in which there is no clear right or wrong answer because ethical principles conflict.
What is an Ethical Dilemma?
Any action or statement that causes a patient to feel threatened regarding receiving unwanted care.
What is Assault?
Written defamation that damages a person's reputation through false written statements.
What is Libel?
Federal agency that enforces workplace safety standards to protect health care employees from injury and harm.
What is OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)?
A contract formed by the mutual actions and behaviors of a provider and patient rather than a formal written document.
What is an Implied Contract?
The ethical principle of fairness, requiring that all patients receive equal care regardless of background or financial status.
What is Justice?
Holding or restraining a patient in a facility against their will without legal authorization.
What is False Imprisonment?
Consent implied by a patient's actions, such as extending their arm for a blood pressure test.
What is Implied Consent?
Minors under 18 who are legally recognized as adults due to marriage, military service, or court order.
Who are Emancipated Minors?
The failure of one party to fulfill their obligations outlined in a legal healthcare agreement.
What is a Breach of Contract?
The Latin legal doctrine holding employers responsible for the negligent actions of their employees while on the job.
What is Respondeat Superior?
Improper, illegal, or grossly negligent professional activity or treatment by a health care worker.
What is Malpractice?
The process of providing patients with full details, risks, and alternatives before obtaining written permission for invasive procedures.
What is Informed Consent?
Laws designed to protect off-duty health care professionals from legal liability when providing voluntary emergency assistance.
What are Good Samaritan Laws?
Another term for euthanasia, which involves ending a terminally ill patient's life to end pain and suffering.
What is Mercy Killing?