Midterm Exam (copy)

Law

A rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.

Etiquette

Standards of behaviors considered to be good manners among members of a profession as they function as individuals in society; government does not enforce etiquette.

Protocol

A code prescribing correct behavior in a specific situation, such as in a medical office.

Code of Ethics

A list of principles intended to govern behavior, particularly for those entrusted with providing care to the sick.

Litigious

Prone to engage in lawsuits.

Plaintiff

The person bringing charges in a lawsuit.

Defendant

The person or party against whom criminal or civil charges are being brought in a lawsuit.

Code of Hammurabi

Earliest medical codes written by Babylonians around 2250 BCE discussing conduct expected of physicians.

Hippocratic Oath

A pledge for physicians influenced by the practices of the Greek physician Hippocrates.

Liability

Legally responsible or obligated.

Precedent

Decisions made by judges that become rule of law applying to future cases, also known as case law.

Ethics

Standards of behavior developed as a result of one’s concept of right and wrong; illegal acts are always unethical, but unethical acts are not always illegal.

Bioethics

A discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research methods and results, especially in medicine.

Justice

Providing what is due to an individual.

Veracity

Truth telling.

Beneficence

Acts performed by a health care practitioner to help people stay healthy or recover from illness.

Negligence

An unintentional tort alleged when one fails to perform an act that a reasonable person would or would not have done.

Nonmaleficence

The duty to do no harm.

Nonfeasance

The failure to act when one should.

Malfeasance

The performance of a totally wrongful and unlawful act.

Misfeasance

Performance of a lawful act in an illegal or improper manner.

Critical Thinking Steps

Identify the problem, gather information, evaluate evidence, consider alternatives and implications, choose and implement the best alternative.

People Skills

Skills such as relaxed attitude, understanding and empathy, good communication, patience, and tact when interacting with others.

Technical Skills

Skills including computer literacy, science, mathematics, willingness to learn new skills, manual aptitude, documentation ability, and critical thinking.

Medical Practice Acts

Laws established in all 50 states to govern the practice of health care professionals.

Moral Values

One's personal concepts of right and wrong.

Risk Management

Actions taken to minimize danger, hazard, or liability.

Quality Assurance

Measures taken by healthcare providers to ensure the quality of patient care.

Paternalism

The situation where what the physician thinks is best is not always what is best for the patient.

Principles of Healthcare Ethics

Principles including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, confidentiality, role fidelity, and veracity.

Licensure

A mandatory credentialing process established by law, usually at the state level.

Certification

A voluntary credentialing process where applicants who meet specific requirements may receive a certificate.

Reciprocity

The process by which a professional license obtained in one state may be accepted in other states without reexamination.

Grounds for revoking Licensure/Certification

Includes sexual misconduct, substance abuse, fraud, patient abuse, and unethical behavior.

Copayment

Flat fees that insurance subscribers pay for certain medical services.

Coinsurance

The amount insurance members must pay out of pocket after insurance has paid its share.

HIPAA

The first federal law to deal with the privacy of medical records, enacted in 1996.

Criminal Law

Law that involves crimes against the state.

Civil Law

Law that involves wrongful acts against persons.

Physician/Patient Relationship

The exercise of best professional judgment in healthcare decision-making.

Respondeat Superior

The legal principle that an employer is responsible for the actions of employees while they are performing their duties.

Res Ipsa Loquitor

A legal doctrine meaning 'the thing speaks for itself.'

Standard of Care

The level of performance expected of a healthcare practitioner.

4 C's of Medical Malpractice Prevention

Caring, communication, competence, and charting.

Statute of Limitations

The time period established by law within which a lawsuit may be filed.

Informed Consent

Legal permission granted by a patient to a physician for treatment, understanding the risks involved.

Good Samaritan Act

Protects individuals from being sued for assisting a victim in an emergency.

Fax Etiquette

Guidelines for sending confidential information via fax, including verifying phone numbers and using cover sheets.

Copier Machine Etiquette

Guidelines for the use of copiers, including not leaving confidential papers behind.

Computer Etiquette

Guidelines for protecting confidential information on computers.

Telemedicine

The remote delivery of healthcare services and clinical information.

Patient Portal

A secure online site that provides patients 24-hour access to their health information.

Medical Records

Information in the hospital record that belongs to the patient and serves as a legal document.