HITT1353 Exam 2 Study Guide - Legal and Ethical / Med Law and Ethics

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the HITT1353 Major Exam 2 Study Guide covering Medical Law and Ethics.

Implied Consent vs. Informed Consent

Informed consent is explicit permission granted by a patient after receiving full explanation of risks, benefits, and alternatives; implied consent is inferred from actions, conduct, or emergency circumstances without explicit verbal or written agreement.

Controlled Substances Act of 1970

Federal legislation establishing the legal foundation for regulating manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain drugs classified into schedules based on medical use and abuse potential.

Addiction

A chronic physical or psychological dependence on a substance or behavior characterized by compulsive use despite harmful consequences.

Abuse

The improper, excessive, or harmful use of a substance, or the improper or cruel treatment of an individual.

Habituation

A psychological reliance or emotional dependence on a drug resulting from repeated use without physical addiction.

Advance Directive

A legal document stating a person's preferences regarding medical treatments and end-of-life care decisions in the event they become incapacitated.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Methods of resolving legal conflicts outside of a traditional courtroom trial, such as mediation or arbitration.

Comparative Negligence

A legal rule allocating fault between a plaintiff and defendant in a negligence lawsuit, reducing the plaintiff's damages proportioned to their degree of fault.

Consent

Voluntary permission or agreement given by a patient to undergo a specific medical examination, procedure, or treatment.

Damages

Monetary compensation awarded by a court to a party who has suffered loss, injury, or harm due to another's breach of duty or negligence.

Dereliction

A failure or neglect to perform a professional obligation or duty owed to a patient (dereliction of duty).

Durable Power of Attorney

A legal document authorizing a designated surrogate or agent to make healthcare or financial decisions on behalf of a patient if they lose decision-making capacity.

Duty

An established legal obligation of a healthcare provider to supply care meeting accepted standards to a patient.

Fraud

An intentional deception, misrepresentation, or dishonesty committed to gain an unlawful or unfair benefit.

Indigent Patient

A patient who lacks the financial resources or insurance necessary to pay for medical care.

Liability

Legal responsibility or accountability for actions, omissions, or debts under civil or criminal law.

Living Will

A written legal advance directive specifying a patient's preferences regarding life-sustaining medical treatment if terminally ill or permanently unconscious.

Mediation

A voluntary alternative dispute resolution process where a neutral third party helps conflicting parties reach a mutually agreeable settlement.

Mortality Rate

A measure of the frequency of occurrence of death in a defined population during a specified time period.

Morbidity Rate

A measure of the prevalence or incidence of disease, illness, or medical condition within a specified population during a given time.

Negligence

Failure to exercise the degree of care that a reasonably prudent professional or person would exercise under similar circumstances.

Privileged Communication

Confidential interaction between a healthcare provider and a patient protected by law from forced disclosure in legal proceedings.

Probable Cause

Reasonable grounds based on factual evidence supporting a belief that a crime or civil violation has occurred.

Respondeat Superior

A legal doctrine stating that an employer or principal is held legally responsible for the wrongful acts or omissions of an employee acting within the scope of employment.

Standard of Care

The degree of care, skill, and diligence that a reasonably competent healthcare practitioner in the same field would provide under similar circumstances.

Abandonment of a Patient

The improper or unilateral termination of the physician-patient relationship by a physician without giving reasonable notice or allowing time to find substitute care.

Preventing Malpractice

Methods to avoid medical liability, such as maintaining precise documentation, communicating effectively, obtaining informed consent, staying within scope of practice, and adhering to standard of care.

Recommendations for Completing Legal Records or Certificates

Guidelines such as ensuring accuracy and legibility, completing documentation in a timely manner, and using permanent ink without unauthorized corrections or alterations.

Reportable Communicable Diseases

Infectious illnesses legally required to be reported to public health authorities, such as tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis.

Signs of Child/Elder Abuse

Indicators including unexplained bruises, fractures, or injuries, sudden behavioral changes or withdrawal, and severe malnutrition or neglect.

Classification of Controlled Drugs

Categorization of medications into Schedules (I through V) based on abuse potential, safety, and accepted medical utility.

Physician Withdrawal from a Case

The formal procedure requiring written notice to the patient, sufficient time to secure another provider, and referral; failure to do so risks patient abandonment charges.

Rights of the Physician

Entitlements including the right to select which patients to treat, charge for services rendered, and practice medicine within professional ethical standards.

Scheduled Drug Act of 1999

Statutory regulation categorizing prescription and controlled drugs into schedule tiers based on potential for misuse and medical utility.

Physician's Duties to the Public

Professional obligations including reporting communicable diseases, reporting suspicion of child/elder abuse, reporting births and deaths, and safeguarding public health.

Patient's Bill of Rights

A statement of rights ensuring respectful care, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, access to medical records, and refusal of treatment.

Highest Abuse Potential Schedule

Schedule I controlled substances, which have high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment.

Responsibility Under Respondeat Superior

The employer/physician is held legally responsible; it benefits the patient/plaintiff by ensuring financial recovery from an entity with resources.