Allied Health Chapter 4 Vocab

Adult

Someone 18 years of age or older

Advance Directives

Written instructions that outline individuals' desires regarding care should they become unable, as the result of illness or injury, to make these decisions. There are two types.

Agent

Someone who has the authority to represent another person.

Assault

Any threatened or implied act, whether carried out or not, or a violent, physical attack

Autonomy

Self-determination

Battery

The unauthorized touching of another person

Breach of Contract

If one of the parties fails to fulfill his part of the agreement

Codes of Ethics

Purpose is to set standards of professional conduct that promote the welfare of patients and ensure a high quality of care

Confidentiality

Patients having a legal right to privacy concerning their medical affairs

Consent

Permission

Contracts

Formalized promises that are enforceable by law

Damages

Money to compensate for an injury or loss

Defamation of Character

Disclosing unauthorized information can result in being charged with harming the reputation of another

Discreet

Being careful about what you say, preserving confidences, and respecting privacy

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

Designation of health care surrogate/representative. In this document, individuals designate specific people to act on their behalf if they become unable to make health care decisions. An individual can select anyone to be a surrogate; it is not necessary for the surrogate to be related. Each state has specific requirements and designation forms.

Emancipated Minors

Individuals younger than age 18 who are financially independent, married, in the military, or have been emancipated by a court

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which there is no clear answer

Ethics

A system of principles a society develops to guide decisions about what is right and wrong

Euthanasia

Also called mercy killing, is performing an action that results in the death of a patient to alleviate suffering or when it is believed that there is no hope for recovery.

Express Consent

More formal than implied consent, either oral or in writing, in which a patient gives permission directly to the provider to receive treatment.

Express Contract

Something that can be created when the parties discuss clearly and in detail what is to take place and agree on specific terms and conditions.

False Imprisonment

Something that can be charged if patients are held against their will, unless they are mentally incompetent or a danger to themselves.

Fraud

A form of dishonesty that involves cheating or trickery

Implied Consent

Something indicated by the patient's actions: showing up for a medical appointment, opening the mouth for the dentist to administer an injection, or participating in therapeutic exercises.

Implied Contracts

It is most contracts between health care providers and patients and the actions of the parties create the contract.

Informed Consent

The process in which the patient receives information about treatment and gives his or her permission.

Invasive Procedures

It involves punctures or incisions of the skin or insertion of instruments or foreign material into the body

Justice

A term that refers to fairness and requires that all patients, regardless of race, economic status, religion, nationality, or personal characteristics, receive the same level of care and consideration.

Legislation

Law

Libel

Disclosing unauthorized information can result in being charged with harming the reputation of another in written form.

Living Will

A document that outlines an individual's wishes regarding the type and extent of care to be given. Some allow the inclusion of specific directions about whether the individual consents to certain procedures, such as cardiac resuscitation, mechanical respiration, and feeding tubes. A "do not resuscitate" (DNR) request can be included. This means that CPR is not to be administered if the individual stops breathing. An exception is if the individual is not in a health care facility and emergency personnel cannot locate a DNR request. Living wills are regulated by state laws.

Malpractice

The term for improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment.

Mercy Killing

Performing an action that results in the death of a patient to alleviate suffering or when it is believed that there is no hope for recovery.

Negligence

Failure to meet the standard of care that can be reasonably expected from a person with certain training and experience.

Principles

Fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for a system of beliefs

Protocols

Standard methods for performing tasks

Respondeat Superior

""Let the master answer." Employers can be held liable (legally responsible) for the behavior and actions of their employees.

Slander

Disclosing unauthorized information can result in being charged with harming the reputation of another in spoken form.

Values

They reflect what we care about most and guide our decisions and behavior.