Ch. 05 Key Terms
Criminal Law
Branch of public law that attempts to prevent crime by defining the acts or omissions that lead to public disorders and by specifying legal reactions for each of those acts.
Assault and Battery
Assault is attempted battery. Medical battery is similar to battery, but the harm occurs in a medical setting and includes harmful or offensive touching of a patient by a medical professional.
Slander
A defamatory statement that is spoken
Scope of Practice
The activities that an individual health care practitioner is permitted to perform within a specific profession.
Denied Payment
the department has denied payment for a medical assistance claim or reduced the level of service payment for a service
Civil Law
Concerned with the peaceable resolution of disputes between individuals
Invasion of Privacy
A situation in which someone fails to respect a person's right to keep certain personal information from being known
Libel
A defamatory statement in writing or other visible forms
Ethics
Ethics serve as the guiding principles for healthcare professionals, ensuring that they prioritize their patients' well-being, treat patients with dignity and respect, and foster trust and confidence in the healthcare system.
Termination of coverage
the discontinuance of a plan of insurance between the insurer and the entire group of employees
Torts
When a medical professional acts in a negligent manner and injures someone in their care
False inprisonment
An intentional act to restrict a patient's movement unlawfully
Contract
Any type of agreement, verbal or written, by which one or both parties agree to a set of behaviors related to the care of a patient.
Power of Attorney
A type of advance directive that gives a person (called a proxy) the authority to make medical decisions for another person if that person is not able to make their own decisions.
preexisting condition
A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts. Insurance companies can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more.
Malpractice
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
Abuse
Inappropriate treatment of an individual. It includes physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse.
Breach of Contract
When one or more of the terms of a contract are violated
Living will
A living will is 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, such as pain management or organ donation.
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA), also known as the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, has dramatically improved the quality of care in nursing homes over the last twenty years by setting federal standards of how care should be provided to residents.
Negligence
An act of carelessness, not intent to harm
Defamation
Incorrect information that is given out that is in error the action of damaging the good reputation of someone
Consent Form
A document with important information about a medical procedure or treatment, a clinical trial, or genetic testing
Denial of services
a payer's decision to not pay for services rendered to a patient