HOSAML: The Healthcare Environment

Physician-Patient Relationship

Professional relationship formed when a provider agrees to treat a patient.

Contractual Relationship

Formal or implied agreement for medical services.

Fiduciary Relationship

Relationship of trust where the provider acts in the patient's best interest.

Patient Rights

Legal and ethical entitlements of patients in healthcare.

Patient Responsibilities

Actions expected from patients such as honesty and follow-up.

Informed Consent Process

Communication ensuring the patient understands treatment and risks.

Therapeutic Communication

Interaction promoting patient understanding and trust.

Standard of Practice

Professional guidelines determining acceptable performance.

Care Coordination

Organization of patient care activities among healthcare team members.

Continuity of Care

Ensuring consistent and connected patient care over time.

Patient Abandonment

Improper termination of the physician–patient relationship.

Noncompliant Patient

Patient who does not follow recommended treatment plans.

Shared Decision-Making

Collaborative process between patient and provider.

Patient Advocacy

Support for patient rights and interests.

Physician Duty to Treat

Limited obligation to provide care under certain conditions.

Termination of Care

Documented process for ending patient-provider relationship.

Second Opinion

Additional consultation requested for medical advice.

Malpractice Insurance

Insurance protecting providers from liability claims.

Medical Malpractice

Professional negligence resulting in patient injury.

Elements of Malpractice

Duty, breach, causation, and damages.

Professional Misconduct

Violation of ethical or legal standards by a provider.

Negligent Hiring

Employing unqualified personnel leading to patient harm.

Negligent Supervision

Inadequate oversight of healthcare workers.

Sentinel Event

Unexpected event involving serious harm or death.

Root Cause Analysis

Method used to investigate and prevent future errors.

Adverse Event

Unintended harm resulting from medical care.

Medical Error

Fault in practice that may or may not cause harm.

Near Miss

An error that could have caused harm but did not.

Risk Management

Processes to reduce liability and improve patient safety.

Quality Improvement

Continuous efforts to improve healthcare systems.

Peer Review

Evaluation of a provider’s performance by colleagues.

Credentialing

Verification of qualifications and competence.

Privileging

Authorizing a provider to perform certain procedures.

Incident Report

Documentation of unusual events or safety concerns.

Scope of Employment

Activities performed within job duties.

Workplace Ethics

Standards governing behavior of employees in healthcare.

Workplace Harassment

Unwanted conduct violating dignity or safety.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual behavior in the workplace.

Hostile Work Environment

Workplace atmosphere that intimidates or offends employees.

Workplace Violence

Threats or acts of physical harm in healthcare settings.

OSHA Standards

Federal workplace safety requirements.

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

OSHA rule protecting workers from infectious exposure.

Workplace Safety Plan

Facility guidelines to prevent injuries and hazards.

Cultural Competence

Ability to deliver care considering cultural differences.

Cultural Awareness

Recognition of cultural differences shaping patient communication.

Cultural Sensitivity

Respect for cultural beliefs and practices.

Health Literacy

Ability to understand basic health information.

Language Access Services

Resources to help patients with limited English proficiency.

Medical Interpreter

Qualified individual who facilitates patient communication.

Bias

Unconscious or conscious prejudice affecting decisions.

Implicit Bias

Attitudes that affect behavior unconsciously.

Cultural Barriers

Obstacles created by differences in values or norms.

Religious Accommodation

Adjustments made to respect patient beliefs.

Confidentiality

Ethical and legal duty to protect patient information.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Federal rule governing use and disclosure of PHI.

HIPAA Security Rule

Standards protecting electronic PHI.

PHI

Protected health information that can identify a patient.

Minimum Necessary Standard

Limiting PHI disclosure to the least amount needed.

Release of Information

Patient authorization allowing records to be shared.

Patient Portal

Secure digital access to health records.

Medical Records

Systematic documentation of medical care.

Charting

Recording patient information in the health record.

Late Entry

Documentation added after the time of care.

Correction Protocol

Directions for fixing errors in documentation.

EHR

Electronic health record storing patient data.

Legal Health Record

Official record used for legal purposes.

Record Retention Laws

Rules determining how long medical records must be kept.

Access to Medical Records

Patient right to review and obtain copies of their records.

Confidential Communication

Private interactions protected from disclosure.

Minimum Necessary Disclosure

Releasing only essential PHI.

Employment At-Will

Employment relationship allowing either party to terminate at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Laws ensuring nondiscrimination in hiring.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibiting discrimination based on disability.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act protecting leave for medical/family reasons.

Whistleblower Protection

Laws protecting employees who report unsafe or illegal practices.

Workplace Policy

Facility rules guiding employee behavior.

Professional Boundaries

Limits defining appropriate provider–patient interactions.

Dual Relationships

Relationships that blur professional boundaries.

Conflict of Interest

Situation where personal interests conflict with professional duty.

Chain of Command

Organizational hierarchy for reporting concerns.

Team-Based Care

Collaborative healthcare approach involving multiple professionals.

Interdisciplinary Team

Team of professionals from different fields providing care.

Delegation

Assigning tasks to qualified personnel.

Supervision

Monitoring others’ performance in the workplace.

Competency Assessment

Evaluation of knowledge and skills required for safe practice.

Professional Development

Activities supporting continued learning and improvement.