abuse
any care that results in physical harm or pain, or mental anguish
advance directives
a legal document designed to indicate a person's wishes regarding care in case of a terminal illness or during the dying process
agent
someone who has the power or authority to act as a representative of another
assault and battery
assault includes a threat or attempt to injure, and battery includes the unlawful touching of another person without consent
civil law
law that focuses on the legal relationships between people and the protection of a person's rights
confidentiality
information about a patient that must remain private and can only be shared only with other members of the patient's health care team
contract
an agreement between two or more parties
criminal law
focuses on behavior known as crime: deals with wrongs against a person, property, or society
defamation
when false statements either cause a person to be ridiculed or damage the person's reputation
Designation of Health Care Surrogate
also called a durable power of attorney for health care, is a document that permits an individual to appoint another person to make decisions regarding health care
Durable Power of Attorney
is a document that permits an individual to appoint another person to make decisions regarding health care
ethics
set of principles relating to what is morally right or wrong
expressed contracts
stated in distinct and clear language, either orally or in writing
false imprisonment
refers to restraining an individual or restricting an individual's freedom without authorization
health care records
also considered privileged communications; contain information about the care provided to the patient
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
standards to protect health information; provides federal protection for privacy of health information in all states
implied contracts
obligations that are understood without verbally expressed terms
informed consent
permission granted voluntarily by a person who is of sound mind and aware of all factors involved
invasion of privacy
revealing personal information abut an individual without his or her consent
legal
authorized or based on law
legal disability
a condition in which a person does not have legal capacity and is therefore unable to enter into a legal agreement
libel
false written statements that causes a person ridicule or contempt or causes damage to the persons reputation
living wills
a legal document stating a persons desires on what measures should or should not be taken to prolong life when his or her condition is terminal
malpractice
providing improper or unprofessional treatment or care that results in injury to another person
negligence
failure to give care that is normally expected, resulting in injury to another person
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
federal law that regulates the education and testing of nursing assistants
Patient Self-Determination Act
a federal law that mandates that every individual has the right to make decisions regarding medical care, including the right to refuse treatment and the right-to-die
Patient's Bill of Rights
a list of rights that every patient can expect to receive while under the care of health care providers
patient's rights
factors of care that all patients can expect to recieve
privileged communications
all personal information given to health personnel by a patient; must be kept confidential
Resident's Bill of Rights
free choice regarding physician, treatment, care, and participation in research
freedom from abuse and chemical or physical restraints
privacy and confidentiality of personal and clinical records
accommodation of needs and choice regarding activities, sch
slander
spoken comment that causes a person ridicule or contempt or damages the persons reputation
tort
a wrongful or illegal act of civil law not involving a contract