Ch. 05 Key Terms
criminal law definition
the area of law that addresses possible illegal actions taken and must be proven in court beyond reasonable doubt
civil law definition
the victim's compensation is being fought for, often without regard for punishing the defendant
Torts definition
when a medical professional acts in a negligent manner and injures someone in their care
Malpractice definition
any act or omission by a physician during treatment of a patient that deviates from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to the patient.
Negligence definition
an act of carelessness, not intent to harm
Assault and battery definition
harmful or offensive touching of a patient by a medical professional.
Invasion of privacy definition
A doctor sharing a patient's medical records with someone who is not authorized to see them
False imprisonment definition
An allegation that a healthcare professional or someone employed by the provider acted intentionally to restrict a patient's movement unlawfully
Abuse definition
The actions or inactions of an individual's caregiver or parent inflicting physical, sexual, or emotional harm on the individual.
Defamation definition
The publication, without any justification, of a derogatory or false statement regarding another individual or party.
Slander definiton
the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
Libel definition medical
a defamatory statement in writing or other visible forms
Contract definition medical
the costs of employer-furnished first aid and medical facilities, including personnel or retainer fees for nurses and physicians that are not allocated to individual claims.
Breach of contract
when one party to the contract doesn't do what they agreed
A document with important information about a medical procedure or treatment, a clinical trial, or genetic testing.
Scope of practice
the activities that an individual health care practitioner is permitted to perform within a specific profession.
Ethics definition
The guiding principles for healthcare professionals, ensuring that they prioritize their patients' well-being.
Power of Attorney definition
A type of advance directive that gives a person the authority to make medical decisions for another person if that person is not able to make their own decisions.
Living will definition
a written, legal document that spells out medical treatments you would and would not want to be used to keep you alive, as well as your preferences for other medical decisions
Denial of services definition
A refusal by a health insurance company to pay for services or products it has agreed to cover.
Denied payment definition
the refusal of an insurance company or carrier to honor a request by an individual to pay for healthcare services obtained from a healthcare professional
Termination of coverage definition
When the consumer has chosen a plan and effectuated coverage by paying the first premium payment and ends the coverage effective after the date the coverage was effectuated
Preexisting definition
A health condition that exists before someone applies for or enrolls in a new health insurance policy.
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act definition
gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances