Definitions for Medical Ethics

SOAP

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan

POMR

Problem-Oriented Medical Record

Updated Master Problem List (MPL)

Always kept at the front of the record

Data base

Includes lab results, history, physical exam findings, and more

Flow charts

Help keep track of certain information in the patient's chart like growth charts for a baby/toddler

Progress notes

Daily chart notes made to document patient's progress in treatment

Ethics

Based on integrity, responsibility to service and community, respect, self discipline and intent to further your career.

Right vs. Wrong conduct

Patient care partnership

A brochure/guide that explains patients' rights and responsibilities while in the hospital. It is a guide for both patients and providers to follow

Tort

A wrong committed against a person or persons property may be intentional or unintentional (defamation, malpractice, negligence)

Intentional Tort

Intentionally committed a wrong to a person or their property

Liable

Being held accountable under the law

Negligence

Occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the appropriate standard of care, resulting in harm or injury to the patient.

Must be proven

Misdiagnosis

Failing to correctly identify a patient's condition, leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment

Surgical Errors

Performing surgery on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside, or failing to close a wound properly

Medication Mistakes

Prescribing or administering the wrong medication or dosage

Failure to Obtain Informed Consent

Performing a procedure without fully explaining the risks and benefits to the patient

Failure to Monitor

Neglecting to adequately monitor a patient during treatment or aftercare

Malpractice

Improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by a medical practitioner, lawyer, or public official

Defamation

Injuring a person's name or reputation by making false statements.

Attack to a person’s reputation

Libel

Making false statements in print, electronic, pictures

Slander

Making false statements verbally to injure a person's reputation

Invasion of privacy

Infringement upon an individual's protected right to privacy through a variety of intrusive or unwanted actions

Fraud

Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain

Assault

Intentionally attempting to touch or threaten a person's body without their consent

Battery

The actual act of physically touching someone without their consent

Misdemeanor

Minor crime punishable by one year or less

Examples: 

• Petty theft, including shoplifting

• Trespassing

• Vandalism

Felony

Major crime punishable by more than one year

Murder

The unlawful killing of another human being

Aggravated Assault

Assault that involves a weapon or causes serious bodily harm

Robbery

Taking property from another person by force or threat of force

Kidnapping

Illegally taking and holding a person against their will

Arson

Intentionally setting fire to property

Informed consent

A process in which a patient or research participant is provided with all the necessary information about a medical procedure, treatment, or research study, and gives their voluntary, informed, and understanding permission to proceed.

This is signed before HIPAA policy form

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Title I

Health care access, portability, and renewability

Title II

Preventing health care fraud

Title III

Tax-related health provisions

Title IV

Application and enforcement of group health plan requirements

Title V

Revenue offset

Confidentiality

Protecting patient information. The most important thing assistive members of the team need to remember throughout the course of their day in a medical setting

Good Samaritan Law

Allows you to render medical care especially in an emergency situation without risk of malpractice

Group Health Insurance (HMO)

Type of health insurance coverage provided to a group of people, typically employees of an organization. It is a form of employer-sponsored health insurance.

Employer will put X amount towards

Unreasonable care

A broad term, while negligence is the failure to act with reasonable care, and malpractice is a specific type of negligence that occurs when a professional (like a doctor or lawyer) breaches their duty of care, causing harm