Intro to Healthcare Test #1

Respect autonomy

The right of pateints to make their own healthcare decisions

Preserve life

Taking all possible means to save life, though this often creates dilemmas regarding right to die requests

Do not harm

Staying within your scope of practice and admitting mistakes immediately

Informed consent

Formal permission for treatment after being fully informed of risks; required for invasive procedures

Implied consent

Actions that indicate consent such as showing up for an appointment

Advance directives

Legal documents (like a will) that allow patients to state their wishes for end-of-life care in advance if they become unable to communicate

Good samaritan laws

Legal protection for those who provide reasonable assistance to those who are, or who they belive to be, injured, ill, or otherwise incapacitated

HIPAA and confidentiality

Patients have a legal right to privacy regarding their health information

Negligence

Failure to meet the standard of care

Malpractice

Professional negligence that results in actual injury

Non-maleficence

The ethical principal of “doing no harm”