| Question | Answer |
| ethics | a system of principles a society develops to guide decisions about what is right and wrong |
| principles | fundamental truth |
| ethical dilemma | situation where there is no answer |
| code of ethics | codes that have been developed; share the purpose to set standards of professional conduct that promote the welfare of patients and ensure a high quality of care. |
| values | the beliefs and ideals that provide the foundation for making decisions and guiding behavior |
| guided principles of health care ethics | 1) Preserve life
2) Do good
3) Respect autonomy
4) Uphold justice-
5) Be honest
6) Be discreet
7) Keep promises
8) Do no harm |
| 1) Preserve life | provide patients w/caring attention |
| 2) Do good | respect, communication skills |
| 3) Respect autonomy | have consented to all |
| 4) Uphold justice | treat all patients equally
know the rules for handling all categories
learn the state laws and your facility's policies & procedures
Follow all safety rules and OSHA guidelines |
| 5) Be honest | admit mistakes immediately
refuse to participate in any form of fraud
document all procedures/coding accurately |
| 6) Be Discreet | never release patient information of any kind, don't discuss patients with anyone
keep documents out of view
do not leave records or patient registers on the reception desk |
| 7) Keep Promises | be sure that the necessary contracts have been completed
be careful about what you say to patients |
| 8) Do No Harm | focus on providing excellent customer service
always work within your range of practice
stay inform about new laws that affect health care |
| preserve life | principle for health care professionals that say that all life is precious |
| euthanasia | mercy killing, performing an action that results in the death of a patient to alleviate suffering or when it is believed that there is no hope for recovery |
| organ transplants | can save lives; however it is illegal to take organs without the prior per
mission of the patient or family members |
| stem cell research | holds promise for replacing patients' cells that have been damaged by a variety of diseases and injuries |
| rationing care and resources | serious concern as cost of health care rises; may come an issue when there are scarcities of resources |
| do good | helping & promoting the welfare of others is a basic duty of the health care professional; the reasonable needs of a patient must be considered before the needs of self |
| respect autonomy | patients have the right to make decisions about their health care |
| consent | permission to have a procedure or test done |
| informed consent | indicated by the patient's actions, showing up for a medical appointment, opening the mouth for dentist |
| battery | touching someone without permission |
| assault | any threatened or implied act whether carried out or not |
| emancipated minors | individuals under 18 who are financially independent, married, or in the military |
| express consent | given in writing and is required for many procedures |
| invasive procedures | punctures or incisions of the skin or insertion of instruments or foreign material into the body |
| advance directives | written instructions that outline of an individual's desires regarding care should they become unable, as the result of illness or injury, to make these decisions |
| Patient self-determination act | 1991, requires that hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and hospice have written policies regarding advance directives
facilitate their own health care decision
accept/refuse treatment
make an advance health care directive |
| justice | refers to fairness |
| Contracts | formalized promises that are enforceable by law |
| breach of contract | when one of the parties fails to fullfil his/her part of the agreement |
| Order of contract | MUST HAVE an offer/acceptance/consideration |
| implied contract | actions of the parties create the contract |
| express contract | created when the parties discuss and agree on specific terms and conditions |
| agent | someone who has the authority to represent another person |
| respondeat superior | "Let the Master Answer" |
| damages | money to compensate for an injury or loss |
| negligence | failure to meet the standard of care that can be reasonably expeted from a person with certain training and experience |
| malpractice | professional negligence |
