patient care: legal definitions

ethics

the science of human behavior to systemize the principle of morally correct conduct is termed

liability

an obligation one has incurred or might incur through any act or failure to act

plaintiff

the party who brings a civil suit seeking damages or other legal relief

defendant

the person accused of committing a crime

respondent

the person who argues against a petition or appeal

respondent superior "let the master answer"

the employer is responsible for the actions of his/her employees while within the scope of his employment

risk mamagement

the process of avoiding or controlling risk of financial loss

res ipsa loquitor "the thing speaks for itself"

the defendant must prove himself not responsible for the harm

torts

the type of laws that governs the right between individuals in non-criminal actions

torts: assault

the threat of touching in an injurious way

torts: battery

touching a person without permission or a willful act to harm

torts: false imprisonment

if a patient wishes to leave and is not allowed to do so or they are placed in restraints without doctor's order

invasion of privacy

if confidential information is not maintained or a patient's body is unnecessarily exposed

libel

written defamation

slander

spoken defamation

neglience

omission of reasonable care or neglect

gross negligence

reckless regard for life or limb (intentional)

Contributory Negligence

acts of the injured party contributed to the injurious outcome

what are the 4 conditions that must be proven true to establish malpractice?

1. the person or institution being sued had a duty to provide reasonable care to the patient

2. the patient sustained some loss or injury

3. the person or institution being sued is responsible

4. the loss is attributable to negligence or improper practice

what are the 7 C's of malpractice prevention

1. Competence

2. Compliance

3. Charting

4. Communication

5. Confidentiality

6. Courtesy

7. Carefulness

Good Samaritan Law

laws used to encourage citizens to assist their fellow man

advanced directives

a document in which a person either states choices for medical treatment or designates who should make treatment choices if the person should lose decision-making capacity. living will or DPOA for healthcare

living will

a written document executed by the patient in advance directing what should be done in case of life sustaining measure

durable power of attorney for healthcare

a written document in which an individual names someone else to make healthcare decisions for him in event the individual can no longer do so for themselves

what is a DNI order?

do not intubate

What is a DNR order?

do not resuscitate

what are the 3 branches of responsibility?

1. clinical

2. ethical

3. legal

branch of responsibility: clincial

to take care of the patient's medical needs

branch of responsibility: ethical

to do what is morally correct

branch of responsibility: legal

to do what is right under the law

hospital liability or malpractice insurance

this is a type of insurance intended to cover all claims against the hospital arising out of alleged negligence of any member of the physician staff or employee

are radiologic technologist allowed to draw blood?

no

1 multiple choice option

if a patient falls or almost falls in your department, should you notify anyone?

yes. failure to do so may make it easier to award damages to the injured party

medical record of radiology report

a written account of what happened to a patient during a special time or when in Radiology and contains information to justify diagnosis, over a course of illness, management, and treatment

what do medical record of radiology report contain

only facts not conclusions

what is the main function of medical record

it is the source of communication between healthcare workers

Who do medical records belong to?

hospital or doctor's office

what must be included on a consent form to make it valid

it must be signed by the patient or guardian, witnessed and dated

when can a spouse sign for their spouse?

only in case of an emergency

when can a minor sign for him/herself on consent forms?

if they are married, emancipated, pregnant, suffering from venereal disease, or in need of psychological or psychiatric care

what is implied consent?

consent which is not expressly granted by a person, but implicitly granted by a person's actions or inaction

Patient's Bill of Rights

1. the patient has the right to proper care

2. the patient has the right to information on diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

3. the patient has the right to the names of people treating him/her

4. the patient has the right to refuse treatments

5. the patient has the right to privacy

6. the patient has the right to confidentiality

7. the patient has the right to expect the hospital to make reasonable responses to a request for services

8. the patient has the right to information on afflicted health care institutions

9. the patient has the right to be advised of human experimentation affecting his/her care

10. the patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care

11. the patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of his/her bill

12. the patient has the right to know hospital rules and regulations

what must be permanently imprinted on a patient's image?

name or MRN, date of service and the place where the images were taken

is it unethical to talk about patient information in an elevator or cafeteria?

yes

1 multiple choice option

is it unethical to talk bad about a fellow co-worker or team member?

yes

1 multiple choice option

Antemortem

before death

postmortem

after death

what are some ways to identify a body after death?

1. dental and skeletal images

2. foreign bodies

3. bullets or shrapnel

what is battered child syndrome

radiologic appearance of bizarre and unusual injuries of the bone in affected children. fractures of different ages in the same child is an example of abuse