Ethics & Legal Accountability in Healthcare

A set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering HIPAA, informed consent, PSDA, EMTALA, ANA Code of Ethics, nursing student responsibilities, and core ethical principles.

HIPAA's purposes include protecting the privacy of personal health information, protecting healthcare coverage for individuals who lose or change jobs, and protecting coverage for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The law name is __.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

requires healthcare workers to take steps to ensure the confidentiality of client information and medical records.

HIPAA privacy rule

allows clients to see, make corrections to, and obtain copies of their medical records.

HIPAA privacy rule

An example of a HIPAA violation is __; accidentally leaving patient records in plain view of other people.

Mishandling of medical records

Disclosing patient information to coworkers, friends, or family without authorization is an example of __.

Information disclosure by employees

Accessing patient information without authorization (out of curiosity or other reasons) is called __.

Accessing patient information illegally

Texting unencrypted patient information and making it accessible to cyber criminals is a violation of __.

Sending patient information over text

Stolen or lost devices (e.g., laptops, mobiles) leading to theft of patient information is a HIPAA violation related to __.

Stolen or lost devices

Posting patient information on social media, even without mentioning the patient's name, is an example of __.

Information disclosure through social media

Using home computers or laptops to access patient information, resulting in accidental disclosure, is known as __.

Accessing patient information through unprotected devices

The federal law that requires emergency departments to provide emergency medical treatment to clients regardless of their ability to pay, legal status, or citizenship status is __.

EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act)

Laws are designed to protect from liability those who provide emergency care to someone in need of medical services.

Good Samaritan Laws

Under EMTALA, nurses must and cannot leave the person until the transfer of care is complete.

Call 911 and cannot leave the patient until transfer of care is complete

The two types of advance directives under PSDA are Living Will and __.

Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA/POA)

A Living Will gives directions to others about life-prolonging treatments if the person becomes unable to make those decisions. The term for this directive is __.

Living Will

identifies a surrogate decision maker who will make healthcare decisions on the client’s behalf if the client is unable.

Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA/POA)

The purpose of is the client’s permission to receive any and all types of care with full knowledge of the risks, benefits, costs, and alternatives.

Informed consent

For hospital admissions, invasive or specialized treatments, or diagnostic procedures, must be written and signed by the client or their legal guardian, POA, or next of kin if the client is not competent.

Informed consent

The law provides for consent in the event of an emergency, so no written consent is required.

Implied (or assumed) consent

The nurse's role in informed consent includes witnessing the consent and determining if the patient is and fully comprehends.

competent

The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses describes the standards of professional responsibility and commitments to self, the patient, the employer, and the __.

profession

As a nursing student, you are held to the same standard of care as a __.

Licensed nurse

If changes in a client’s condition occur, you should __ and notify your instructor and the RN.

Notify your instructor and RN

Always report off to the before leaving the floor.

RN (Registered Nurse)