U.S. Health-Care Law, Ethics, and Patient Rights – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major U.S. health-care laws, ethical principles, patient rights, consent types, negligence elements, and workplace safety topics as presented in the lecture notes.

Patient’s Bill of Rights

Statement of 15 guarantees designed to protect patients and clarify the rights and responsibilities of both patients and health-care providers.

Medical Law

Body of laws that outline the legal rights and responsibilities of medical providers and patients.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, “Obamacare”)

2010 health-care reform law aimed at expanding affordable insurance coverage, improving quality, and restraining costs.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)

Federal law that sets national standards to protect the privacy and security of patients’ health information.

HITECH Act

Law that strengthens HIPAA by increasing enforcement and extending privacy/security regulations to electronic health information and business associates.

OSH Act (Occupational Safety and Health Act)

Law overseen by OSHA requiring employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace through enforceable standards.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Federal agency that enforces workplace safety and health standards under the OSH Act.

CSA (Controlled Substances Act)

Federal statute that classifies regulated drugs into five schedules based on potential for abuse and medical use.

EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act)

Law requiring hospital emergency departments that accept federal funds to provide appropriate medical screening and stabilizing treatment to anyone seeking care.

CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988)

Federal standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States.

Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits employers with 15 + employees from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)

Law that forbids discrimination in employment and public accommodations on the basis of disability.

HERCA

Association of European authorities that identifies radiation-protection issues and proposes solutions.

Good Samaritan Acts

Laws shielding bystanders who voluntarily assist in emergencies from liability if unintended harm occurs.

GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008)

Law prohibiting discrimination by employers and health insurers based on genetic information.

PSQIA (Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act)

Framework for collecting and analyzing patient-safety data while protecting the confidentiality of reported information.

Anti-Kickback Statute (AKBS)

Federal criminal law prohibiting remuneration for referrals or business involving federal health-care programs.

No Surprise Act (NSA)

Law protecting patients with group or individual plans from unexpected out-of-network medical bills.

Subpoena duces tecum

Court order requiring a person to bring specified documents or records to a legal proceeding.

Administrative Safeguards (HIPAA)

Policies and procedures such as appointing a security officer or conducting internal audits to protect health information.

Physical Safeguards (HIPAA)

Measures like double-lock systems and secured workstations that physically protect patient records.

Technical Safeguards (HIPAA)

Technology controls—e.g., firewalls and encryption—used to secure electronic protected health information.

Malpractice

Professional negligence; medical treatment that falls below accepted standards and harms a patient.

Tort

A wrongful act, whether intentional or negligent, that causes harm to another and is actionable in civil court.

Implied Consent

Permission inferred from a patient’s actions, position, or the circumstances, rather than explicit words.

Expressed Consent

Consent given verbally or in writing, such as a patient verbally agreeing to an injection.

Informed Consent

Oral or written agreement after the patient receives complete information about the procedure, risks, and alternatives.

Autonomy

The patient’s capacity and right to think, decide, and act freely regarding their health care.

Negligence

Failure to provide adequate, appropriate care, resulting in patient harm.

Advance Directives

Written statements of a person’s wishes for medical treatment, such as a living will.

Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR)

Instruction that CPR or advanced cardiac life support should not be performed if breathing or heartbeat stops.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA)

Legal document appointing a proxy to make medical decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated.

POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)

Medical order guiding emergency and end-of-life treatments for seriously ill or frail patients.

Intentional Tort

Deliberate act violating another’s rights; examples include assault, battery, defamation, invasion of privacy.

Assault (Medical Context)

Threat or attempt to touch a patient without consent, causing fear of harm.

Battery (Medical Context)

Intentional, unauthorized physical contact with a patient.

Defamation of Character

False communication that harms a person’s reputation; libel (written) or slander (spoken).

Invasion of Privacy

Unlawful disclosure of private information or intrusion into a patient’s personal affairs.

Duty of Care

Legal obligation of health professionals to adhere to a standard of reasonable care.

Dereliction of Duty

Breach or failure to fulfill the duty of care.

Direct Cause

Link between the breach of duty and the injury suffered by the patient.

Damages

Monetary compensation awarded for harm caused by negligence or misconduct.

Types of Abuse

Categories include physical, verbal/emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse.

Mandatory Reporters

Professionals legally required to report suspected abuse—e.g., health-care workers, childcare providers, social workers, law enforcement.

Justice (Ethics)

Ethical principle of fair distribution of benefits, risks, resources, and costs.

Beneficence

Ethical duty to act in the best interest of others and promote good.

Nonmaleficence

Ethical commitment to avoid causing harm to patients.