An accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care that is not part of the normal routine in a healthcare facility.
Ethics
The knowledge of right and wrong.
Durable power of attorney for health care
A type of advance directive designated a person other than the patient to make medical decisions if the person becomes ill or disabled.
Standard of care
The professional standard that must be met to deliver safe and effective patient care.
Wounds of Violence
Category of injury likely to have been inflicted in the course of a criminal act; must be reported to appropriate authorities.
protected health information (PHI)
A person’s private health information, which includes name, address, telephone number, social security number, email address, and medical record number.
Criminal Law
Branch of law dealing with offenses considered to harm all of society.
Law
A rule established to help people live peacefully together and to ensure order and safety.
Confidentiality
The legal and ethical principle of keeping private information private.
Assault
The use of words or actions to cause another person to feel fearful of being harmed.
Conflict of interest
A situation in which a person’s personal interests may interfere with their professional judgment or actions.
Mature Minor
In health care, a person under the age of 18 who is legally considered able to make routine healthcare decisions independently; mature minor laws vary by state.
statute of limitations
A statute (law) that establishes the maximum amount of time after an event occurs that a lawsuit can be filed.
Civil Law
Branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals.
Compliance Reporting
In health care, a general term referring to legally-required information-sharing.
Plaintiff
A person who makes a charge of wrongdoing in court; the plaintiff has the burden of proof, or the responsibility to show that the defendant is liable for damage
Signs and symptoms of abuse:
Yelling obscenities • Fear, apprehension, fear of being alone • Poor self-control • Constant pain • Threatening to hurt others • Withdrawal or apathy • Alcohol
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
A federal law banning discrimination in employment and healthcare coverage based on genetic information.
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
An electronic version of a patient’s medical record that can be shared between healthcare organizations; includes information such as medical history, diagnoses
Liable
Legally responsible.
Do not resuscitate (DNR)
A type of advance directive indicating that the patient does not wish a breathing tube to be inserted to prolong life.
Advance Directive
A legal document that allows people to decide what kind of medical care they wish to have in the event they are unable to make those decisions themselves.
Exploitation
The act of taking advantage of a person for financial gain.
Living Will
A document that outlines specific medical care a person wants or does not want to receive; also known as directive to physicians and health care directive.
Neglect
Failure to provide needed care that results in physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person.
res ipsa loquitur
Latin phrase meaning the thing speaks for itself. Used when a patient’s injury is presented as evidence of medical negligence or wrongdoing.
Good Samaritan Law
A law passed to protect individuals from liability when they provide medical aid, usually in an emergency situation.
Communicable Disease
A disease that is easily spread from one person to another; some communicable diseases must be reported to public health authorities, though requirements vary b
Signs and symptoms of neglect:
Pressure injuries • Unclean body • Body lice • Poorly fitting clothing • Unmet needs relating to hearing aids, eyeglasses • Weight loss, poor appetite •
Informed Consent
Active, conscious acknowledgement that a person understands treatment they will receive and agrees to receive it.
Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
An infection caused by sexual contact with an infected person; signs and symptoms are not always apparent.
Mediation
Settlement of a lawsuit using a qualified person called a mediator to review the case and negotiate the outcome.
Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
Medical order that specifies the treatments a person wishes to receive when he is very ill; decisions are based on conversations between the patient and his dr
Subpoena
A legal document that commands a person to appear in court to testify (subpoena ad testificandum) or to provide records or documents (subpoena duces tecum).
Deposition
A statement given under oath to be used as evidence in a lawsuit.
Sentinel event
An unexpected occurrence that results in grave physical or psychological injury or death.
Respondeat Superior
Latin term meaning let the master answer. Used to hold an employer liable for the actions of their employee.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
A federal law that requires health information be kept private and secure and that organizations take special steps to protect this information.
Emancipated minor
A person under 18 years of age who has been legally declared independent.
Implied Consent
The assumption that a person agrees to treatment or to a procedure; allows medical treatment to be provided in emergency situations, for example, even if the pa
Battery
The intentional touching of another person without permission.
Risk Management
Actions taken to limit the risk of being sued, such as providing high-quality medical care and documenting carefully.
Do not intubate (DNI)
A type of advance directive indicating that the patient does not wish cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to be performed in the event of cardiac or respiratory
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
A federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve the health of individuals and communities.
Defendant
A person accused of wrongdoing, against whom a lawsuit is filed (civil) or charges made (criminal).
Negligence
Actions, or the failure to act or provide the proper care, resulting in unintended injury to a person.
Compliance
In health care, a patient’s record of following the healthcare treatment plan and keeping appointments.
Abuse
Purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury to someone.
Arbitration
Settlement of a lawsuit using a qualified person known as an arbiter to review the case and determine the outcome.
Signs and symptoms of exploitation:
Private conversations not allowed, or family member/caregiver is present during all conversations • Caregiver makes insulting remarks toward patient • Caregiver
Mandated Reporter
Person who is legally required to report suspected or observed abuse or neglect because they have regular contact with vulnerable populations.
Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
A federal law requiring that medical practices and facilities provide patients with information about advance directives.
Malpractice (in medicine)
Failure on the part of a provider to meet a professional standard of care; literal meaning is bad practice.
Abandonment
In health care, failure of a practitioner to provide needed care to a patient with whom a patient-practitioner relationship has been established.
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