Emergency Medical Services: Ethics, Laws, and Patient Care Standards (4)

Scope of Practice

A set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the extent and limits of an EMT's job.

Standard of Care

The care that would be expected from an EMT with similar training in a similar situation.

Quality Improvement

The process of evaluating and improving patient care, skills, and performance.

Consent

Permission from a patient for care or treatment.

Expressed Consent

Consent given by a conscious, competent adult.

Implied Consent

Consent assumed for an unconscious or incapacitated patient requiring emergency care.

In Loco Parentis

A person acting in place of a parent who may consent for a child.

Emancipated Minor

A minor legally allowed to make medical decisions for themselves.

Involuntary Transportation

Transporting a patient against their will due to safety concerns or legal authority.

Refusal of Care

A patient's decision to decline treatment or transport after being informed of risks.

Requirements for Refusal of Care

The patient must be legally able to consent, mentally competent, and fully informed.

Liability

Being held legally responsible for actions or omissions.

Assault

Placing a person in fear of bodily harm.

Battery

Unwanted touching, restraint, or causing bodily harm.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order

A legal document stating a patient does not want resuscitation efforts.

Advance Directive

Instructions written in advance regarding medical treatment decisions.

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

A physician's order outlining a patient's wishes for life-sustaining care.

Negligence

Failure to provide appropriate care that results in harm to a patient.

Four Elements of Negligence

Duty to act, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Proximate Cause

Harm directly resulting from an EMT's actions or failure to act.

Tort

A civil offense resulting in injury or damages.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

"The thing speaks for itself"; negligence can be assumed from circumstances.

Duty to Act

A legal obligation to provide care.

Abandonment

Leaving a patient after care has begun without transferring care appropriately.

Moral

Personal beliefs about right and wrong.

Ethical

Professional standards of behavior regarding right and wrong.

Good Samaritan Laws

Laws that provide limited legal protection for those providing emergency care in good faith.

Confidentiality

The obligation to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects patient privacy.

Libel

False written statements that harm a person's reputation.

Slander

False spoken statements that harm a person's reputation.

Medical Identification Device

A bracelet, necklace, card, or tattoo identifying a medical condition.

Common Medical Alert Conditions

Diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, and heart conditions.

Organ Donor

A person who legally authorizes donation of organs after death.

Safe Haven Law

A law allowing infants or children to be surrendered safely to public safety personnel.

Crime Scene

A location where a crime occurred or where evidence may be found.

Crime Scene Priority

Provide patient care while preserving evidence when possible.

Evidence Examples

Scene conditions, patient condition, fingerprints, footprints, fibers, blood, and DNA.

Preserving Evidence

Move as little as possible, remember what was touched, and communicate with police.

Special Reporting Requirements

Laws requiring reporting of abuse, violence, trafficking, or other specified incidents.

Morality

Personal standards regarding right and wrong.

Professional Ethics

Standards that guide EMT behavior and patient care.

Ethical Responsibilities of EMTs

Be honest, avoid harm, prioritize patient welfare, respect patient autonomy, treat patients fairly, educate others, and report misconduct.