Chapter 2 vocab - part 2 (CERT)

Fee splitting

sharing of fees between physicians for patient referrals.

Fraud

a deceitful act with the intention to conceal the truth.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

a federal law that protects against employment discrimination based on a person’s or their family’s genetic information and prohibits health insurance plans from requiring genetic information to make coverage decisions.

Implied consent

an informal agreement of approval from the patient to perform a given task.

Implied contracts

contracts between a physician and patient that are not written but are assumed by the actions of the parties.

Informed consent

a statement of approval from the patient for the physician to perform a procedure after the patient has been educated about the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Intentional tort

an act that takes place with malice and with the intent of causing harm.

Legally required disclosure

reporting of certain events to governmental agencies without the patient’s consent.

Libel

written statements that defame a person’s reputation or character.

Licensure

granting of a license or legal permission to perform a certain profession by a state.

Litigation

process of filing or contesting a lawsuit.

Locum tenens

a substitute physician.

Malfeasance

a type of malpractice in which an improper or wrongful act is performed.

Malpractice

a tort in which the patient is harmed by the actions of a health care provider.

Mature minors

minors who are considered mature enough to understand and make certain health care decisions.

Misfeasance

a type of malpractice in which a proper act is performed incorrectly.

Negligence

performance of an act that a reasonable health care worker would not have done or the omission of an act that a reasonable person would have done.

Nonfeasance

failure to perform an act that should have been performed.

Patient Care Partnership

guidelines established by the American Hospital Association to help patients understand their expectations, rights, and responsibilities in their relationship with health care providers.

Patient navigators

individuals trained to assist people in accessing the health care system.

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

a law requiring health care facilities to provide information to patients about their rights under state laws if they become unable to make decisions themselves.

Plaintiff

the party who initiates a lawsuit.

Precedents

the use of previous court decisions as a legal foundation.

Protocols

a code of proper conduct

Registered

enrollment in a professional entity that endorses one’s skills and abilities.

Res ipsa loquitur

“the thing speaks for itself.”

Res judicata

“the thing has been decided.” Once a lawsuit is settled, the losing party may not countersue.

Respondeat superior

“let the master answer.” The physician is responsible for the actions of the medical assistant when the assistant is acting within their scope of practice.

Slander

oral statements that defame a person’s reputation or character.

Statute of limitations

a legal time limit during which a lawsuit may be filed.

Subpoena

a court order requiring an individual to appear at court at a given date and time.

Subpoena duces tecum

a type of court order in which the medical record is required to be presented and entered into court proceedings.

Tort

the righting of wrongs or injuries suffered by someone because of another person’s wrongdoing.