HEALTH SCIENCE THEORY

What is arbitration?

A method of resolving disputes outside of court, where a neutral third party listens to both sides and makes a binding decision

What is civil law?

laws that deal with legal relationships between people and the protection of a person’s rights.

What is criminal law?

Laws that deal with wrongs against society, a person, or property, such as theft or misuse of drugs, and can result in imprisonment.

What is discrimination?

Treating someone unfairly based on factors such as race, gender, age, or disability.

What is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) document?

A medical order stating that a patient does not want CPR or life-saving measures if their heart or breathing stops.

What is a durable power of attorney?

A document that allows a person to appoint another person to make healthcare decisions for them if they become unable to do so.

What is an emancipated minor?

A person under 18 who has legally gained independence from parents through marriage, military service, or court order.

What are Good Samaritan laws?

laws protecting individuals who give emergency care in good faith from being sued for negligence.

What does HIPAA stand for, when was it passed, and what does it do?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996) — protects individuals’ medical records and personal health information, ensuring privacy and security.

What is malpractice?

Professional negligence by a healthcare provider that results in patient harm.

What protects healthcare workers against malpractice suits?

Good Samaritan laws and malpractice insurance.

What is an ombudsman?

A person who investigates and resolves patient complaints in healthcare or long-term care facilities.

What is scope of practice?

The procedures, actions, and duties that a healthcare worker is legally allowed to perform based on their training and license.

What is standard of care?

The level and quality of care that a reasonably competent professional would provide in a similar situation.

What is a statute of limitations?

The time period during which legal action can be taken after an event such as malpractice.

What are values?

Personal beliefs and principles that guide a person’s decisions and actions.

What are ethics?

Moral principles that govern behavior — knowing the difference between right and wrong.

What are codes of ethics? Do all medical professions have one?

Written standards of ethical conduct that guide professional behavior; yes, all medical professions have one.

Who created the medical code of ethics for doctors, and what is it called?

Hippocrates created it, and it is called the Hippocratic Oath.

What are the two types of laws and their differences?

Criminal law — wrongs against society (punishable by jail/fines).

Civil law — legal relationships between people and protection of individual rights.

Healthcare is mainly affected by what type of law?

Civil law

What is defamation, and what are its two types?

• Libel: Written defamation

• Slander: Spoken defamation

What is abuse? What are the types?

Any physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, or financial harm to another person.
Types: physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, elder, and financial abuse.

What is a reportable incident? Give examples.

An event that affects the health, safety, or welfare of others and must be reported by law.
Examples: births and deaths, injuries caused by violence, drug abuse, communicable diseases, or any event that could harm others.

What is the Patients’ Bill of Rights?

A list of guarantees for individuals receiving medical care, including privacy, informed consent, and the right to refuse treatment.

What is informed consent? When is it signed?

Permission given by a patient after being informed of all risks and procedures; signed before treatment begins.

What are the duties of an ethics committee?

To consider ethical problems that affect the care and treatment of patients in the facility, and provide guidance on difficult cases.

What is physical invasion of privacy? Give examples.

Occurs when a healthcare worker does not protect a patient’s modesty, such as not draping properly, transporting without covering, or entering a room without knocking.

What is informational invasion of privacy? Give examples.

Sharing or accessing a patient’s private health information without permission — for example, talking about patient records or leaving charts open.

What is a living will?

A document that allows a person to state what medical measures they want or do not want if their condition is terminal (e.g., no CPR, no feeding tube).

What is an advance directive?

Legal documents like living wills or durable power of attorney that state a person’s healthcare wishes if they become unable to communicate.

Touching a person without consent is called what?

Battery.

Swearing, speaking harshly, or name-calling are examples of what?

Verbal abuse.

Sexual harassment is what and illegal?

Unethical and illegal behavior of a sexual nature.

Discrimination in the workplace can be based on what factors?

Race, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

A court-appointed person who makes decisions for a patient unable to do so is called what?

A legal guardian.

Healthcare records belong to whom?

The healthcare provider or facility — not the patient — but patients have the right to copies.

What Act protects individuals’ medical records?

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) — ensures privacy and security of medical records.

How can you keep computer records secure?

: Password-protect records, keep monitors away from high-traffic areas, and limit access or use to authorized personnel.