WK 5 101 NC

Laws

Define obligations and protect rights in healthcare.

Ethics

Principles determining right and wrong behavior.

Key Difference

Laws impose sanctions; ethics provide guidelines.

Motor Vehicle Laws

Regulations for emergency vehicle operation.

EMS Legislation

Laws specific to emergency medical services.

Medical Licensing Statutes

Regulations governing medical practice and paramedicine.

Civil Statutes

Laws related to patient treatment and injury.

Criminal Statutes

Laws governing unlawful actions affecting patients.

Confidentiality Laws

Protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure.

PIPEDA

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Civil Liability

Malpractice suits against paramedics for negligence.

Criminal Liability

Prosecution for legal violations by paramedics.

Regulatory Action

Disciplinary measures by employers or medical directors.

Legal Framework

Guidelines that inform paramedic legal responsibilities.

Legal Counsel

Advice from legal professionals regarding practice.

Common Sense Care

Best care guideline based on practical judgment.

Good Medical Care Standards

Quality benchmarks for patient treatment.

Legal Risks

Potential consequences of failing to comply with laws.

Patient Care

Primary focus of paramedic practice and decision-making.

Training Protocols

Established procedures guiding paramedic interventions.

Provincial Variability

Differences in laws across various regions.

Disciplinary Hearings

Formal proceedings addressing paramedic misconduct.

Paramedic Responsibility

Act reasonably, ensuring care aligns with training.

Lines of Authority

Paramedics answer to Medical Director, Licensing Agency, Employer.

Delegation of Function

Physician assigns tasks to trained individuals.

Transfer of Function

Independent medical function performed without direct supervision.

Principles of Delegation

Physician remains accountable for delegated patient care.

Medical Director's Role

Legally accountable for supervision and performance standards.

Following Orders

Paramedics must adhere to physician orders and protocols.

Conflict with On-Scene Physicians

Paramedics may face issues with unknowledgeable on-site physicians.

Best Practice

Protocols define paramedic-physician relationships in care.

Documenting Physician Involvement

Record physician's name and contact in patient care.

Resolving Conflicts

Direct medical control resolves conflicts, not paramedics.

EMS-Enabling Legislation

Defines EMS structure and paramedic responsibilities.

Scope of Practice

Legislation outlines paramedic field activities and limits.

Administrative Regulations

Provincial rules guide paramedic practice specifics.

Authorized Skills

Regulations specify skills and medications for paramedics.

Licensure Requirements

Includes certification and renewal criteria for paramedics.

Continuing Education

Necessary for maintaining paramedic certification.

License Suspension

Behaviors leading to potential license revocation outlined.

Direct Medical Control

Physician oversight during emergency medical situations.

Supervisory Responsibility

Physician must ensure task performers are adequately trained.

Accountability for Actions

Paramedics liable for care failures, not physician's.

Remedial Training

Medical Director may require additional training for paramedics.

Consequences of Inadequate Care

May lead to administrative actions against paramedic's license.

Scope of Practice

Defines authorized emergency medical care for paramedics.

Medical Director Limitations

Scope of practice may be further restricted by directors.

Negligence Charges

Performing outside scope may result in legal consequences.

Standard of Care

What a reasonable paramedic would do in similar situations.

Medical Acts

Laws governing qualifications and roles of healthcare practitioners.

Personal Health Information (PHI)

Sensitive patient data protected by privacy laws.

PIPEDA

Act protecting personal health information in Canada.

Disclosure of PHI

Allowed for treatment or with patient consent only.

Violations of PHI

Unauthorized disclosure can lead to criminal or civil penalties.

Patient Care Reports (PCRs)

Should be securely stored and not publicly discussed.

Privacy Officers

Ensure compliance with PHI disclosure regulations.

Interfacility Transfers

Patients must be stable for transfer to higher-level facility.

Sending Hospital Responsibilities

Ensure patient stability and necessary paperwork for transfer.

Direct Medical Control

Consulted if concerns arise during patient transfer.

Emergency Vehicle Laws

Statutes governing operation of emergency vehicles.

Safe Driving Practices

Paramedics must operate vehicles safely and prudently.

Good Samaritan Laws

Provide immunity for emergency help offered in good faith.

Ontario's Good Samaritan Act

Protects off-duty paramedics from liability without gross negligence.

Gross Negligence

Reckless disregard for patient safety in medical actions.

Governmental Immunity

Protection for government agencies from liability during functions.

Vicarious Liability

Employers liable for employees' actions during duties.

Negligence

Failure to act causing harm to a patient.

Immunity

Protection against negligence claims under specific conditions.

Duty to Act

Legal obligation paramedics have to patients.

Breach of Duty

Failure to meet the standard of care expected.

Proximate Cause

Direct link between breach of duty and injury.

Harm

Actual injury or damage resulting from negligence.

Primum non nocere

First duty is to do no further harm.

Standard of Care

Expected level of performance by a reasonable paramedic.

Gross Negligence

Reckless disregard or intentional misconduct in care.

Ordinary Negligence

Simple failure causing harm, easier to prove.

Foreseeability

Predictable harm that could have been prevented.

EMS System Protection

Legal shield for EMS following established procedures.

Legal Duty

Obligation defined by law for paramedics.

Continuing Education

Ongoing training to maintain skills and licensure.

Abandonment

Terminating care without patient consent when needed.

Transfer of Care

Handing patient responsibility to another qualified professional.

Advance Directives

Documents expressing patient wishes for future care.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders

Instructions to avoid life-sustaining procedures.

Organ Procurement

Procedures to keep organs viable for donation.

Jurisdictional Variations

Local laws affecting EMS obligations to directives.

Non-transport Situations

Legal risks when patients are not transported.

Patient Confidentiality

Legal duty to protect patient information.

Minimum PPE Requirements

Essential gear for EMS includes gloves, masks, gowns.

Gloves

Essential for every EMS call; change after procedures.

Sterile Gloves

Used for clean procedures; prevents infection.

Examination Gloves

Used for routine tasks; not sterile.

Handwashing

Wash hands over 30 times daily to reduce pathogens.

Use of Lotion

Replenishes skin oils; prevents cracking from washing.

Eye Protection

Anti-splash eyewear recommended during patient contact.

Face Shield

Extra protection during intubation procedures.

Wearing a Mask

Protects others if you have a cold.

Mandatory Flu Immunization

Required by some jurisdictions for healthcare workers.

N95 Respirators

Protects against airborne diseases like tuberculosis.

Ambulance Sanitization

Clean surfaces daily and after each call.