EMT ch 3

abandonment

Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient's consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.

advance directive

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.

algor mortis

Cooling of the body after death until it matches the ambient temperature.

applied ethics

The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.

assault

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.

battery

Unlawfully touching a patient or providing emergency care without consent.

bioethics

The study of ethics related to issues that arise in health care.

breach of confidentiality

Disclosure of information without proper authorization.

compensatory damages

Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit that are intended to restore the plaintiff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the incident.

competent

Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.

consent

Permission to render care.

contributory negligence

A legal defense raised when the defendant claims the plaintiff contributed to his or her own injuries or damages.

decision-making capacity

The ability to understand and process information and make an appropriate choice regarding medical care.

defamation

The communication of false information about a person that damages that person's reputation or standing in the community.

dependent lividity

Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin; a definitive sign of death.

deposition

Oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath.

discovery

The phase of a civil lawsuit where the plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other to prepare for trial, settlement, or negotiation.

do not resuscitate (DNR) order

Written documentation by a physician giving permission to medical personnel not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.

durable power of attorney for health care

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf if decision-making capacity is lost.

duty to act

A medicolegal term relating to certain personnel who either by statute or function have a responsibility to provide care.

emancipated minor

A person under the legal age in a given state but legally considered an adult because of specific circumstances.

emergency

A serious situation such as illness or injury that threatens the life or welfare of a person or group and requires immediate intervention.

emergency doctrine

The legal principle allowing a health care provider to treat a patient in an emergency when the patient cannot grant consent because of altered consciousness, disability, intoxication, or age.

emergency medical care

Immediate care or treatment.

ethics

The philosophy of right and wrong, moral duties, and ideal professional behavior.

expressed consent

A type of consent in which a patient gives verbal or nonverbal authorization for care or transport.

false imprisonment

The confinement of a person without legal authority or the person's consent.

forcible restraint

The act of physically preventing an individual from initiating any physical action.

Good Samaritan laws

Statutes that provide protection from liability for citizens rendering good-faith emergency medical care, unless negligent.

governmental immunity

Legal doctrine protecting EMS providers employed by government entities from certain lawsuits or limiting recoverable damages.

gross negligence

Conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty or standard of care.

health care directive

A written document specifying medical treatment for a competent patient should he or she become unable to make decisions; also called an advance directive or living will.

health care proxy

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult appointing another individual to make treatment decisions if decision-making capacity is lost.

implied consent

A type of consent in which a patient unable to give consent is presumed to consent to treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment.

informed consent

Permission for treatment given by a competent patient after the risks, benefits, and alternatives have been explained.

in loco parentis

Refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent.

interrogatories

Written questions that the defense and plaintiff send to one another.

kidnapping

The seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away of a person by force, including transporting a competent adult for medical treatment without his or her consent.

libel

False and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writing.

medicolegal

A term relating to medical jurisprudence (law) or forensic medicine.

morality

A code of conduct defined by society, religion, or a person that affects character, conduct, and conscience.

negligence

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

negligence per se

A theory that may be used when the conduct of the person being sued is alleged to have occurred in clear violation of a statute.

patient autonomy

The right of a patient to make informed choices regarding his or her health care.

protected health information (PHI)

Any information about health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual.

proximate cause

When a person's action directly causes harm to another individual, the EMT, agency, or medical director may be sued for negligence.

punitive damages

Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit when the defendant's conduct was intentional or demonstrated reckless disregard for public safety.

putrefaction

Decomposition of body tissues; a definitive sign of death.

res ipsa loquitur

A legal principle under which an EMT or EMS system may be held liable when the plaintiff cannot clearly demonstrate how an injury occurred.

rigor mortis

Stiffening of the body muscles; a sign of death.

scope of practice

Most commonly defined by state law; outlines the care that an EMT is able to provide for a patient.

slander

False and damaging information about a person that is communicated by spoken word.

standard of care

Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession; established by law or professional organizations.

statute of limitations

The time within which a case must be commenced.

torts

Wrongful acts that give rise to a civil lawsuit.