Legal and Ethical

Module 1 Vocabulary 2023, Legal and Ethical

Abandonment

The act of leaving someone permanently and alone. In healthcare, this is related to leaving a vulnerable patient without support.

abuse

Purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury to someone.

accountable

Willingness to accept responsibility for one's actions.

advanced directives

Legal documents that allow people to choose what medical care they wish to have if they are unable to make those decisions themselves.

aging process

The process of becoming older which leads to normal changes of aging and more risks of disability and diseases.

assult

A threat to harm a person, resulting in the person feeling fearful that s/he will be harmed.

chemical restraint

A medical restraint in which a drug is used to restrict the freedom or movement of a patient or in some cases to sedate a patient.

documentation

The recording of pertinent patient data in a clinical record.

domestic abuse

Any incident of threatening behavior, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members.

emotional abuse

Involves non-physical behavior that belittles another person and can include insults, put downs, and verbal threats.

financial abuse

the improper or illegal use of a person's money, possessions, property or other assets.

fraud

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

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: a federal law that requires health information be kept private and secure and that organizations take special steps to protect this information.

incident

An accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care that is not part of the normal routine in a healthcare facility. An incident requires an incident report to be filled out.

living will

A document that outlines the medical care a person wants, or does not want, in case they become unable to make those decisions.

misappropriation

The deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful, temporary, or permanent use of a resident's belongings or money.

neglect

The failure to provide needed care that results in physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person.

passive neglect

The unintentional failure to provide needed care, resulting in physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person.

personal items/values

Items that the patient has that are only for the patient's/resident's use. Values are ideas of importance that are specific to a patient and should be respected.

refusal

Denying care. Residents have a right to refuse care.

reporting

Documentation and descriptions that can alert the nurse or supervisors of specific information. Abuse or signs of abuse, and sudden changes in health need to be reported immediately.

resident’s belongings

Personal items that are for the resident and to be used by the resident only.

resident’s chart

Legal document that highlights the care of a patient. Health care professionals document in the resident's chart. If it was not recorded, it did not happen, in the eyes of the law.

restraints

A physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior.

seclusion

a person in isolation - involuntary seclusion is secluding someone without permission.

sexual harassment

Any unwelcome sexual advance or behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

sexual abuse

The forcing of a person to perform or participate in sexual acts against their will; includes unwanted touching, exposing oneself, and sharing pornographic material.

side rails

A structural support attached to the frame of the bed. These are moveable to be placed up or down and intended to prevent patient from falling and assist with mobility. There are full length and partial length side rails. Follow facility policy or care plan on side rails.

slander

To make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone.

stealing

Taking another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

unethical behavior

Not conforming to a high moral standard, also lacking moral principles, or unwilling to follow proper rules of conduct.

workplace violence

Verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of staff by other staff members, residents, or visitors.

false imprisonment

The state of being imprisoned without legal authority.

physical abuse

Any treatment, intentional or not, that causes harm to a person's body.

involuntary seclusion

the separation of a person from others against the person's will.

negligence

An action, or the failure to act or provide the proper care, that results in unintended injury to a person.

elder abuse

A single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.

battery

The intentional touching of a person without their consent.

mental abuse

A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.

restraint alternatives

least restrictive alternatives to restraints. Examples include sensory modification environment, de-escalation techniques, reminders to call, items needed close, anticipate needs, activities, etc.

physical restraints

A restraint that reduces the ability to move physically. Examples: wrist and vest restraints; side rails and locking the wheelchair can also be considered restraints in some instances.

entrapment

An event in which a patient is caught, trapped, or entangled in the spaces in or about the bed rail, mattress, or hospital bed frame. These situations can result in injury or death.

durable power of attorney for health care

POAHC: A legal document that gives another person the authority to make a medical decision for an individual.