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A legal document made by a patient, which states that CPR or other advanced cardiac life support should not be performed if a patient stops breathing or a patient’s heart stops.
DNR document (do not resuscitate)
A court-appointed person who may make decisions for a patient who is mentally or physically incapable of making such decisions.
Guardian
Directives that pertain to a crime in which the guilty party is punished by incarceration and possible fines.
Criminal Law
A person under 18 years of age who has legally established that he or she does not live with parents.
Emancipated Minor
standards that are concerned with whether a healthcare worker's actions are right and wrong
Medical ethics
The practice of allowing only certain individuals the right to access information; ensures that others do not obtain the personal information of patients.
confidentiality
Laws that protect people from legal action after voluntarily giving emergency medical aid while using reasonable care.
Good Samaritan Laws
Directives that pertain to disputes between individuals, organizations, or a combination of the two in which monetary compensation is awarded; also known as tort law.
Civil Law
Performing an act that a reasonable person would not have done, or not doing something that a reasonable person would have done in the same or a similar circumstance, resulting in harm to a patient.
negligence
the concepts, ideas, and beliefs that are important and meaningful to a person
values
A committee made up of individuals who consider ethical problems in the healthcare facility and recommend solutions for resolving the issues.
ethics committee
A form, given to a patient by a doctor, explaining the benefit and risks of a procedure; the patient accepts the risk by signing the informed consent form.
Informed consent
An act approved by the US Congress in 1996 and fully enforced in 2006; includes a privacy provision for patient health records.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
Legal protection for the healthcare worker if proven that the worker acted reasonably as compared to other members of the profession in the same or a similar situation
reasonable care
intrusion on another's personal life; applies to personal information as well as a person's body
invasion of privacy
The amount of time during which any legal action may be taken; after such time a lawsuit may not be filed.
statute of limitations
A law passed by the US Congress in 1990 that requires most healthcare institutions to inform a patient about his or her rights at the time of admission.
patient self-determination act
A member of the healthcare team who ensures that patients are not abused and that their legal rights are protected; investigates complaints and advocates for patient rights
ombudsman
A legal document in which a patient gives written instructions about healthcare issues in the event the patient becomes unable to make such decisions in the future.
advanced directive
a legal document that that grants another person the authority to make legal decisions for you
durable power of attorney
standards concerned with whether a healthcare worker's actions are legal or illegal
medical law
summary of a patient's rights regarding fair treatment and appropriate information.
Patients' Bill of Rights
a legal obligation for healthcare personnel to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm to a patient
duty of care
a cost-effective alternative to litigation
arbitration
touching a person without consent
battery