Intro to Ethics
A pledge for physicians, developed by the Greek physician Hippocrates
Hippocratic oath
Means the duty to “do no harm
Nonmaleficence
A rule or regulation issued by the president of the United States that becomes law without the prior approval of Congress
Executive order
The performance of a totally wrongful and unlawful act
Malfeasance
A condition of deep stupor from which the patient cannot be roused by external stimuli
Coma
Prone to engage in lawsuits
Litigious
Refers to the acts health care practitioners perform to help people stay healthy or recover from an illness
Beneficence
Anyone under the age of majority: 18 years in most states, 21 years in some jurisdictions
Minor
Literally, “the thing speaks for itself”; a situation that is so obviously negligent that no expert witnesses need be called.
res ipsa loquitur
A conscious medical act that results in death
Active euthanasia
The person bringing charges in a lawsuit
Plaintiff
Being faithful to the scope of practice for your profession
Fidelity
A civil wrong committed against a person or property, excluding breach of contract
Tort
Permission from a patient, either expressed or implied, for something to be done by another
Consent
An advance directive that specifies an individual’s end-of-life wishes
Living will
Legally responsible or obligated
Liable
Truth telling
Veracity
A crime punishable by fine or by imprisonment in a facility other than a prison for less than 1 year
Misdemeanor
State laws protecting physicians and sometimes other health care practitioners and laypersons from charges of negligence or abandonment if they stop to help the victim of an accident or other emergency.
Good Samaritan acts
A facility or program (often carried out in a patient’s home) in which teams of health care practitioners and volunteers provide a continuing environment that focuses on the emotional and psychological needs of the dying patient
Hospice
Dishonest or deceitful practices in depriving, or attempting to deprive, another of his or her rights
Fraud
The capacity to be one’s own person and make one’s own decisions without being manipulated by external forces.
Autonomy
Failure of either party to comply with the terms of a legally valid contract
Breach of contract
Literally, “let the master answer.” A doctrine under which an employer is legally liable for the acts of his or her employees
Respondeat superior
Orders written at the request of patients or their authorized representatives that cardiopulmonary resuscitation not be used to sustain life in a medical crisis
do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders