CH.4 ETHICS AND LAW IN MEDICAL IMAGING

standard of care

what any radiologic technologist would do in the same situation

litigation

process of taking legal action

unethical

not conforming to the standard of conduct for a particular professional group

RT’s

act within the scope of practice and cause no hard

• may be part of lawsuit

ethics

set of moral principals that govern ones course of actions

moral principals

set off standards that establish what is right and good

ethics

combination of attributes; honestly, integrity, fairness, caring, fidelity, respect, competence, and accountability

bioethics

blends philosp[hy, law, history, technology, and theology with medicine

utilitarianism (ethical philosophies)

• consequentialism

• advocates are correct when deciding for the largest number of people are benefited by the decision made

deontology (ethical philosophies)

rules are followed by all persons, all of the time

virtue

using wisdom instead of emotional and intellectual problem solving

autonomy (ethical principals)

patient has a right to make their own decision. rt is a liaison

beneficence (ethical principles)

RT acts to have good result for benefit of the patient

confidentiality (ethical principles)

patients have right to their health information kept in privacy, no disclosure, not to even other co-workers

justice (ethical principles)

all persons being treated equally or receive equal benefits according to need

nonmaleficence (ethical principles)

RT duty to refrain from causing harm

veracity (ethical principles)

truthfulness and honesty in all aspects of professional life

fidelity (ethical principles)

loyal of keeping a promise

sancity of life (ethical principles)

life is of the highest good. respect property.

paternalism (ethical principles)

acting like a parent; prompts RT to make decisions for patients care without their consent

• justified when no harm is done. MD orders.

COE

forms first part of standard of ethics

• way to evaluate your professional conduct

• protection, safety, and comfort of patients

• #! responds to patients needs and supports colleagues and associates with patient care

rules of ethics

• second part of standard of ethics

• medical fraud

• CQR fraud

• CEU fraud

• unprofessional conduct in practice

patient care partnership

• hgih quality of care

• privacy protection

• financial help/claims

• prepare family for leave

• clean and safe environment

• understand hospital stay:

  • benefit and risk involved

  • treatment

  • discharge instructions

  • financial responsibility

patient responsibilities

• patient history

• parient commitment to appts

• patient responsible for actions AMA (Against Medical Advice)

• Patient responsible for financial obligation

• Patient follows rules and regulations

• patient considerate of rights and property to others

ehtical challenges

• pay attention to patient and situation

• define patient care

• improve patient care

• make ethical decisions for patient

• rad tech accepts consequences of action taken

• ex) pt has appt although md order is not authorized

5 guiding principles (ethics) of human rights

• universality of human rights applies to every member of human race

• equality for human race. discrimination is a violation of human rights

• participation in the processes and decisions affecting one’s own well-being and life

• interdependence so that right’s are interrelated. if one right is violated, another is also

• rule of law is the enforcement of all human rights

cultural and socioeconomic considerations

one behavior doesn’t fit every patients situation

ethical dilemmas in imaging

• image cropping or masking (collimation) DO NOT CROP

• electronic annotations - not legal in court. markers are legal

• manipulation of data - may causes repeat films due to non diagnostic images obtained

• ALARA

statutory law

derived form legislative enactments

common law

derived from judicial decision

criminal and civil law

• protects entire community

  • criminal behavior is offense to society

• found guilty, punishable with imprisonment

  • civil law- person’s rights have been violated

• pay sum of money; injury to patient not society

tort law

• protects violator of the law

• determines fault

• involves litigation, for injury damages, assault, RT may be found liable with this law

tort law intentionally

purposeful damage, assualt, battery

tort law unintentionally

• negligence

tort law liable

• respondantt supervisor-let master answer

legal risks - managing risks

• time out checking procedures before they begin. communicated by MD.

• validate pt identification, procedure, medication, etc

legal risks - risk management

incident reports, surfs reports

legal risks - documentation

• surfs- speak up and report for safety

• any incident documented of patient harm

List three areas in which the radiographer may infringe upon patient rights.

1) Failing to correctly identify the patient
2) Failing to obtain a complete history from a patient
3) Failing to maintain the highest quality of images with the lowest possible radiation dose for the patient

What document represents the application of moral principles and moral values for radiologic technology?

American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Standards of Ethics

Match the following:

1) Nonmaleficence = E) Duty to refrain from inflicting harm
2) Autonomy = A) The right to make decisions concerning one's own life
3) Truthfulness = D) Honesty to patients
4) Justice = C) Equal treatment and equal benefits

The radiographer who mistakenly administers an incorrect drug to a patient may be guilty of:

negligence

As a radiographer, you refuse to work with a patient because you do not care for persons of the patients religion. You are guilty of violating:

standards of practice and code of ethics

What documentation should a radiographer provide when a patient falls from a table?

an incident report