Chapter 3
Medical Ethics and Law
Values
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Health Care workers are expected
to live by values that show others
respect.
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Dignity- be honest, trustworthy,
truthful, sincere and respectul to
others. Can be shown by listening
actively, being positive, showing
understanding and respect.
Spirit of Service- responding to pt. w/
understanding of unique needs.
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Excellence-taking responsibility for
yourself, your team and the result of
your actions. Learning new skills by
accepting and seeking feedback for
improvement. You can never be
perfect!
Fairness/Justice-treat all people with
respect and provide the same dignity,
service and excellence regardless of the
pt’s race/beliefs/background or
financial resources.
Dignity
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Know your limitationsBe sincere
Be well groumed
Communicate Effectively
Service
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Be a good citizen
Be caring
Have a good attitude
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Body Language, Facial Expressions
Excellence
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Be accountable
Be informed
Follow the rules and regulations
Be dependable
Fairness and Justice
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Be loyal …to who
Respect the privacy of othersconfidential
Be Honest
Patient Satisfaction
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Do they always get what they want…
What do pt’s get…
Pt. should be informed about
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What
Why
Who
When
How
Communication Objectives
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Welcome pts and visitors
in warm manner
Listen to and communicate
with one another
Provide a safe, clean
environment
Have respect for ea.
Person and their privacy,
comfort, dignity
Use good elevator
manners
Strive to do your best.
Anticipate the wants and
needs of those served.
The Team Concept
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Each member is an important part of
Interdisciplinary team
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Professionals with different backgrounds,
education, interests all work together.
Delegates duties by using the five rights of
delegation:
 Right Tasks
 Right circumstances
 Right person
 Right direction
 Right supervision
Summary
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You are part of a team and must act
that way.
Ethical Behavior protects you and
the pt.
Dignity, service, excellence and
fairness/justice are essential for
every health care worker.
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http://www.amaassn.org/ama/pub/category/2512.h
tml
Patients Bill of Rights.
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Legal Roles and Responsibilities of a
Health Care Worker
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Rights are legislated by both federal
and state governments.
The health care worker is legally bound
to provide care as it is stated in the
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Patients Bill of Rights.
Bill of Rights
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Right to considerate and respectful
care
Right to relevant, current and
understandable information
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Right to discuss and request info.
Right to know identity of physicians,
nurses and others involved with them
Right to know immediate and longterm
financial implications
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Right to make decisions about plan of
care, and right to refuse treatment.
Right to an advanced care directive
Right to privacy and confidentiality
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Except in cases such as suspected abuse and
public health hazards when reporting is
permitted.
Right to review records and have
information explained.
Right to expect that a hospital will meet
any reasonable request.
Right to decline or accept to participate in
research studies
Right to be informed of hospital policies
and practices that relate to pt. care
Natural Death Guidelines and
Declarations
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Advanced directive- a document that
ensures the right to accept or refuse
medical care. It provides pt’s a way to
express how they want medical decisions
made if they are unable to make
decisions
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Living Will- provides a way for a person to
express his/her desire for or against
extraordinary measures that could prolong life.
Takes affect while a person is still living.
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Health Care Power of Attorney- allows an
authorized person to make health care
decisions for an individual if they are
unable to do so. More flexible than a
living will and can cover temporary
unconsciousness, or when a pt is unable
to make decisions.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health
Care- document that names an
authorized person to make medical
decisions for the individual if he/she is
unable to make them. Includes
instructions about treatment to avoid.
Ombudsman
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A social worker, nurse or trained
volunteer who makes certain that
the pt is not abused and that the
person’s rights are secure
Controls on HC workers
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License, Certification and
Registration
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Tell what a hcw may or may not do
Determines scope of practice
Controls help to improve the quality of
care
Licensure
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Given by a govenmental agency
when a person meets the
qualifications for a particular
occupation.
Certification
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Given for Recognition
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If specific guidelines must be met the
certification = licensure
Registration
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List of individuals on an official
record who meet the qualifications
for an occupation.
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exp) registered nurse.
Legal Terms and boundaries
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Assault- a threat or attempt to
injure
Battery-unlawful touching w/out
consent that may or may not end in
injury
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Often charged together because of a
successful attempt to injure.
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Informed consent- persmission
granted by a person in his right
mind
Crime-performing a forbidden act or
from the omission or a duty
commanded by public law.
Libel-writing defamatory matter
about an individual or group to 3rd
party.
Slander- spoken statement of false
charges or misrepresentations
that defame or damage another's
rep.
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False imprisonment- holding or retaining a person
against their will
Felony-a serious crime that carries a penalty of
imprisonment for more that 1 year and possibly
death.
Invasion of privacy- civil wrong that makes public
knowledge of any private or personal info w/o
consent of person
malpractice- “bad practice” care that leads to
faulty practice or neglect
Negligence- failure to perform in a reasonably
prudent manner.
Privileged communication- any personal or
private information given by a pt/client to hcw
that is relevant to his/her care. (all info in chart)
Reasonable Care- is the legal obligation of hcw.
Must perform to the standards of practice
expected in their community
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Sexual Harassment- unwelcome sexual
advances, request for sexual favors and
other verbal and physical contact of a
sexual nature. Innocent remarks,
inappropriate pictures and written
material can be perceived as sexual.
Will- legal document that defines the
disposition of property and takes effect
after death.
Reportable incidents and conditions- the
hcw is obligated to file a confidential
report to the county health department
when child abuse or adult abuse is
suspected. Also required when certain
diseases are diagnosed.
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How should it be decided who receives scarce
organs for transplantation?
Do people have a right to reproduce no matter
what the risks or costs? (Consider cases where
there is a high probability of passing on genetic
disorders or diseases like Huntington's disease or
AIDS, and cases of couples under 18 years of age
or mentally impaired. If we have a right to
reproduce, can such people be excluded? Also,
consider cases of couples who cannot reproduce
by "normal" means. Is society obligated to pay for
their reproductive efforts if people have a right to
reproduce? And if we have such a right, where
does it come from (i.e., is it moral, legal, etc.)?)
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Should parents alone control consent (i.e., agree to
or refuse treatment) for medical procedures on their
children? Who should get to decide consent for
children if you think it shouldn't be left entirely to the
parents?