Law & Ethics for the Health Professions Chapter 10

Affirmative action

Programs that use goals and quotas to provide preferential treatment for minority persons determined to have been underutilized in the past

Chemical Hygiene Plan

The standard for Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, which clarifies the handling of hazardous chemicals in medical laboratories

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA)

Also called Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. Federal statute passed in 1988 that established minimum quality standards for all laboratory testing

Discrimination

Prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment

Employment-at-will

A concept of employment whereby either the employer or the employee can end the employment at any time, for any reason

General Drug Clause

A section of the Hazard Communication Standard stating that any equipment that may pose a health risk must be specified as a hazard

Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

An OSHA standard intended to increase health care practitioners' awareness of risk, improve work practices and appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace

Just cause

An employer's legal reason for firing and employee

Medical Waste Tracking Act

The federal law that authorizes OSHA to inspect hazardous medical wastes and to cite offices for unsafe or unhealthy practices regarding these wastes

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

An OSHA regulation designed to protect health care workers from the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the organization that is charged with writing and enforcing compulsory standards for health and safety in the workplace

Public policy

The common law concept of wrongful discharge when an employee has acted for the "common good

Right-to-know laws

State laws that allow employees access to information about toxic or hazardous substances, employer duties, employee rights, and other workplace health hand safety issues

Surety bond

A type of insurance that allows employers, if covered, to collect up to the specified amount of the bond if an employee embezzles or otherwise absconds with business funds

Workers' compensation

A form of insurance established by federal and state statutes that provides reimbursement for workers who are injured on the job

Wrongful discharge

A concept established by precedent that says an employer risks litigation if he or she doe not have just cause for firing an employee