Legal & Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards

What does HIPAA protect?

Answer: Patient health information

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of patient health information (PHI). It sets standards for how patient data can be used, disclosed, and accessed, ensuring confidentiality and patient rights. CMAs must adhere strictly to HIPAA guidelines to safeguard patient privacy.

What is informed consent?

Answer: Patient agrees after explanation

Informed consent means that a patient has received a clear explanation of a medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, including its benefits, risks, alternatives, and potential consequences. The patient then voluntarily agrees to it, ensuring they have the autonomy to make decisions about their own healthcare based on full understanding.

Why is it unethical to share patient information with friends?

Answer: It breaches confidentiality

Sharing patient information with friends or anyone not directly involved in the patient's care is a serious breach of confidentiality. This violates HIPAA regulations and ethical principles, eroding patient trust and potentially leading to legal consequences. Maintaining patient privacy is a fundamental ethical and legal obligation in healthcare.

What should you do if asked to perform a task beyond your scope?

Answer: Refuse and report

Performing a task beyond your scope of practice is unsafe, unethical, and potentially illegal. It puts the patient at risk and can lead to serious harm. A CMA must refuse such a request and report it to a supervisor, ensuring that tasks are performed by qualified personnel within their legal and professional boundaries.

What is the ethical way to respond to patient abuse?

Answer: Report immediately

Any suspicion or observation of patient abuse must be reported immediately to the appropriate supervisor or authorities. Healthcare professionals have a legal and ethical obligation to protect vulnerable patients from harm. Ignoring abuse or attempting to handle it alone can endanger the patient further and is a serious professional failing.

What is a living will?

Answer: End-of-life care preferences

A living will is a type of advance directive that allows individuals to specify their wishes regarding medical treatment in end-of-life situations, should they become unable to communicate. It guides healthcare providers on preferences for life-sustaining treatments, ensuring the patient's autonomy and dignity are respected even when they cannot speak for themselves.

Which principle emphasizes doing good for the patient?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence is an ethical principle in healthcare that emphasizes acting in the best interest of the patient and doing good. It involves providing care that promotes well-being, prevents harm, and contributes to the patient's health and recovery. This principle guides healthcare professionals to always strive for positive patient outcomes.

What is an advanced directive?

Answer: Legal wishes for care

An advanced directive is a legal document that allows individuals to make decisions about their future medical care in advance, should they become unable to communicate their wishes. It includes documents like living wills and durable powers of attorney for healthcare, ensuring patient autonomy is respected and their preferences are followed.

What is the role of a code of ethics in healthcare?

Answer: Guides ethical behavior

A code of ethics in healthcare provides a set of moral principles and professional standards that guide the conduct and decision-making of healthcare professionals. It ensures that care is delivered with integrity, respect, and a focus on patient well-being. This code upholds the trust placed in the profession and promotes high-quality, ethical care.