Introduction to Healthcare Chapter 11 Study Guide

VOCABULARY:

3 Cs Informed Consent Law

Certification Law of agency Liable

Confidentiality Licensure Morals

Ethics Negligence Privileged communication

Reciprocity Registration Scope of practice

Standard of care Tort Advance directive

Health care proxy Living will Durable power of attorney

Section 11.1

·  Purpose of professional codes of ethics – professional guidelines – make decisions-making easier for health care workers

·  Qualities of a successful health care worker – 3 Cs – courtesy, compassion, common sense

- others qualities include a willingness to learn new skills and techniques, patience in dealing with others, empathy for others, good communication and listening skills, proficiency in English, science, and math

·  Recognize health team members – physicians, RNs, LPNs, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, x-ray technicians, medical transcriptionists, nursing assistants

Section 11.2

·  Criminal Law – protect members of society from certain harmful acts of others vs. Civil Law - concerned with private rights and remedies

·  Omission – in violation of a law requiring a certain act vs. Commission – if there is a law forbidding a certain act

·  3 D’s necessary for negligence – duty (health care practitioner – client relationship existed), derelict ( did not live up to the obligation of caring for the client or plantiff), damages

·  Only the state can revoke a license

·  Importance of confidentiality for health care professions – By law all medical information is privileged communication. It is unethical and illegal for a health care worker to break a patient’s confidentiality. Examples – not showing written information to an unauthorized party. Not informing any unauthorized person about the information contained in a client’s medical records. Taking proper precautions when communicating such information over a computer, telephone, or fax machine.

·  Who can’t give informed consent? Minors, Mentally incompetent, Speakers of a foreign language who can’t speak English

·  Written consent must be given prior to releasing information to a 3rd party. This can be waived for certain circumstances. – Preemployment exam where the 3rd party pays the client’s bill, when a client sues a physician or other health care practitioner for malpractice, when the client signs a wavier allowing the release of information.

Section 11.3

·  Responsibilities to employers – Deal morally, ethically, and legally with your employer – provide accurate, honest information about your qualifications for the job, report to work on time – properly dressed and groomed, stay current in your chosen field (attending seminars and continuing education courses, etc)

·  What is the purpose of maintaining medical records? A format for tracking, documenting, and maintaining a client’s health data. Documentation of a client’s lifelong health care. A basis for managing a client’s health care. Background information in the event of a lawsuit. Clinical data for education, research, statistical tracking, and assessing the quality of health care.

·  Records belong to the facility – you own the information in the records

·  Organ donor directive

·  Under the AHA Bill of Rights – Clients’ Rights – know 2

·  Under the AHA Bill of Rights – Clients’ Responsibilities – know 2