Consent & Refusal
This type of consent is assumed when a patient is unconscious or unable to make decisions.
What is implied consent?
The duty EMTs have to provide care once they begin patient contact.
What is duty to act?
The written or electronic record of patient care completed by EMTs.
What is a PCR (Patient Care Report)?
The principle of doing what is best for the patient.
What is beneficence?
This is the legal term for failing to provide the standard of care.
What is negligence?
The legal age in most states at which a person can give informed consent.
What is 18 years old?
The term for leaving a patient without transferring care to someone of equal or higher training.
What is abandonment?
If a mistake is made on a paper PCR, EMTs should correct it by doing this.
What is drawing a single line through the error, initialing, and writing the correct info?
Treating all patients equally regardless of race, gender, or background demonstrates this ethical principle.
What is justice?
The four components of negligence are duty to act, breach of duty, damages, and this.
What is proximate causation?
A competent adult refusing care must be informed of these before you let them sign a refusal form.
What are the risks and consequences of refusing treatment?
EMTs are legally required to report this type of injury to law enforcement.
What is suspected abuse or gunshot/stab wounds?
The phrase “If it’s not written down…” usually ends with this.
What is “…it didn’t happen”?
Doing no harm is referred to as this ethical principle.
What is nonmaleficence?
A signed patient refusal can help protect EMTs from this type of legal claim.
What is liability or lawsuit?
This type of consent applies when a parent or legal guardian gives permission for treatment of a minor.
What is expressed consent?
This law protects people who help in emergencies, as long as they act in good faith.
What is the Good Samaritan Law?
Copies of this form are often required when transporting patients who refuse certain treatments.
What is a refusal of care form?
Withholding CPR when a valid DNR is present is an example of this.
What is respecting patient autonomy?
Speaking false words that damage a person’s reputation is called this.
What is defamation?
If a patient refuses care but later loses consciousness, this allows EMTs to treat them.
What is implied consent?
The federal law protecting the confidentiality of patient health information.
What is HIPAA?
Documenting objectively means avoiding these types of statements.
What are opinions or assumptions?
Acting in the best interest of patients while balancing laws, ethics, and protocols is referred to as this.
What is professionalism?
In a courtroom, EMTs may be asked to serve in this role regarding their patient care report.
What is expert witness?