Chapter 3: Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues

Abandonment

Withdrawal of PT care without PT consent
May take place at scene or in ER

Advance Directive (living will, health care directive)

Written documentation containing specific medical treatment for a PT should they become unable to make decisions (unconscious)

Algor Mortis

Cooling of the body after death

Assault

Unlawfully placing a PT in fear of bodily harm

Autonomy

Right of a PT to make informed heath care decisions

Battery

Unlawfully touching a PT or providing care without consent

Compassionate Persuasion

Act of guiding a PT to accept care after initially denying

Compensatory Damages

Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit
*Punitive Damages

Contributory Negligence

Behavior by the plaintiff that helps cause his or her injuries

Decision-making Capacity

Ability to understand and process information and make a choice regarding care

Defamation

Communication of false information about a PT that is damaging

Lividity

Blood setting to the back of a deceased PT
Sign of death

Discovery

Phases of civil lawsuit where plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other that contribute to the case

DNAR/DNR

Type of advance directive giving permission to not attempt CPR in the event of cardiac arrest
*DOES NOT MEAN DO NOT TREAT

Durable power of attorney/health care proxy

Type of advance directive that appoints another indv to make medical decisions on their behalf should they become unable to make decisions (unconscious)

Emancipated Minor

A person who is under the legal age but because of other circumstances is considered an adult

Expressed Consent

PT acknowledges they want you to provide care

Forcible Restraint

Act of physically preventing a PT from initiating physical action

Good Samaritan Laws

If you responsibly help another person, you can not be held liable for any errors made

Gross Negligence

Conduct that constitutes willful or reckless disregard

Implied Consent

PT is unconscious or incapable of making decisions so care is given anyways

*Try to obtain consent from family members

Informed Consent

PT is competent and informed of all risks, benefits, and complications and gives consent

Kidnapping

Transporting a competent PT without their consent

Libel

False and damaging information about a person communicated in writing

Mature Minor

Child who is at adequate age and maturity to make decisions → mature minor doctrine

Negligence

Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide in a similar situation

*Negligence Per Se, Res Ipsa Loquitur, Torst

Palliative Care

Care focused on treating pain and promoting comfort rather than attempting to cure or prolong life

Proximate Causation

Proof that a negligent act or lack or action caused an injury or worsened current condition

Putrefaction

Decomposition of body tissue
Sign of death

Rigor Mortis

Stiffening of the body muscles
Sign of death

Right to refuse treatment

• must be informed decision

• can withdraw treatment at any time

• try to persuade PT to get treatment

HIPPA

PT privacy law

MOLST/POLST

Specific treatments a PT wants or doesn’t want to receive

Cyanosis

Body is blue in color

Sign of death

Medical examinar cases

• DOA

• death without previous care

• suicide

• poisoning

• death from an accident

• infant and child deaths

Mandatory reports

• child abuse

• elder abuse

• injury during commission of felony

• drug-related injuries

When arriving on scene insure…

Scene safty