Module 1

critical thinking

the constant practice of considering all aspects of a situation when deciding what to believe or what to do

standard of care

legal term referring to whether the level or quality of patient service provided are the same as another healthcare worker with similar training and experience in a similar situation would provide

scope of practice

the range of responsibilities and practice guidelines that determine the boundaries within which a healthcare worker practices

patient navigator

a person who identifies patients’ needs and barriers, then assists by coordinating care and identifying community and healtchare resources to meet the needs; may also be called a care coordinator

Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)

model of patient care that can help facilitate the population of health process by which having multiple health professionals to assist the patients; holistic and relationship-based

empathy

the ability to understand another’s perspective, experiences, or motivations

accreditation

the highest form of recognition for the quality of care a facility or an organization provides

allopathic

a system of medial practice that treats disease by the use of remedies, such as medications and surgery, to produce effects different from those caused by the disease under treatment; medical doctors adn osteopaths practice allopathic medicine; also called conventional medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generaly considered part of conventional medicine; used in combination with conventional medicine; alternative of conventional

American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

association dedicated to the medical assisting profession

American Medical Technologists (AMT)

certification agency for multiple allied health professionals (including RMA, MLT, RPT, CMAS, and RDA)

HIPAA Act (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)

sets national standards for protecting patients’ health information, mainly through its privacy, security, and breach notification rules

HITECH Act 2009

accelerated adoption of electronic health records and strengthen HIPAA’s privacy, security framework, and enoucraged with incentives

OSH of 1970 (Occupational Safety and Health)

protects workers in the US from workplace hazards and to promote safe and healthful working conditions

CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)

A federal law passed in 1988 that sets the standard for laboratories testing human specimens

Intentional torts

When a person deliberately engages in an action that causes harm to another individual, property or their reputation

Assault

the unlawful placing of an individual in apprehension of words or immediate bodily harm without their consent

Battery

a set/series of tests administered together for analytic or diagnostic purposes (clinical); the intentional, unauthorized physical contact with a patient by a medical professional without consent (medical)

False Imprisonment

occurs when a health care institution/ worker restrains or confines a patient aginst their will without legal justification

Fraud

deliberate acts of deception for financial gain within the healthcare system

Defamation

false statement of fact against a person’s character/reputation

Invasion of Privacy

the unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of a patient’s personal health information or sensitive medical details without consent or outside of laws

Negligent torts

wrong committed by healthcare provider that causes harm to patient due to a failure to meet the standard of care

Malfeasance

performance of an wrongful/unlawful act

Misfeasance

Improper performance of a lawful act that causes damage or injury

Nonfeasance

failure to perform an act that is required by the law

Malpractice

improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment that harms a patient

Good Samaritan Law

provides protection against claims of malpractice for the medical practitioners who render emergency care

Advance Directives

legal documents that sets out a patient’s wishes about receiving medical care if they are no longer able to make their own decisions due to a serious illness or injury

Living Will

a type of advance directive that expresses a person’s wishes about medical treatment in the event they become unable to make or communicate their own decisions about certain situations

DNR

Do not resuscitate