Medical Laws and Ethics

civic law

law that pertains to persons, things, or relationships that happen among them; most often applied to medical malpractices cases

tort

involves a situation in which a person claims to be damaged emotionally by another

occupational safety and heath administration (OSHA)

this law makes employers accountable for providing a safe and healthy work environment for employees

health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (HIPPA)

gives patients rights over their health info and set rules and limits on who can look at and receive patient’s info

health information technology for economic and clinical health (HITECH) act

promotes the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology and addresses the privacy and security concerns associated with electronic transmission of health info

controlled substances act (CSA)

regulates the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances, classifying medications into 5 schedules based on likelihood of abuse

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

forbids discrimination against any applicant or employee who could perform a job regardless of a disability

family medical leave act (FMLA)

requires certain employers to give time off to employees for familial or medical reasons

the joint commission (TJC)

accreditation with them helps healthcare organizations strengthen patient safety, quality of care, improve risk management, and provides a framework for organizational structure and management

ethics

the discipline concerned with what is morally good or bad/right or wrong

professional ethics

a set of accepted behaviors and values that a person is expected to possess in a particular profession

code of ethics

a pledge to guide member’s behavior

NHA 6 code of ethics statements:

• use my best effort for the betterment of society, the profession, and the members of the profession

• uphold the standards of professionalism and be hones in all professional interactions

• continue to learn, apply, and advance scientific and practical knowledge and skills: stay up to date on the latest research and its practical application

• participate in activities contributing to the improvement of personal health, our society, and the betterment of the allied health industry

• continuously act in the best interests of the general public

• protect and respect the dignity and privacy of all patients

medical directive

consists of a set of request that patients put in writing surrounding end-of-life medical treatment when they are dying or permanently unconscious

the living will

a legal document that states what procedures a patient would want and not want under conditions such as dialysis, blood transfusions, and DNR orders

POLST

a form that has a specific medical set of orders that a seriously ill person can fill in about their wishes in an emergency and ask their health care provider to sign