Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Health Education-Industry Partnership
Healthcare Core Curriculum
©2004/2010/2014/2015
Instructor Resource
Module Title:
Hours/Credits:
Legal Issues in Healthcare
.5 credit/8 hours
Module Description:
This module focuses on the legal issues related to clients/individuals and healthcare employees. Healthcare laws,
client rights and responsibilities, confidentiality, liability, documentation, and regulation are explored. The
relationship between ethics and legal issues is discussed as well as the impact laws and regulations have on
healthcare systems.
Evaluation Method
This module will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Exams/assignments must be passed at 75% or greater. Retests on
exams are determined by college and program policy.
Competencies:
1. Explains the laws related to healthcare and their influence on the delivery system.
2. Describe one’s individual legal/ethical responsibility related to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and the Vulnerable
Adults Law.
3. Explain client rights and responsibilities and how healthcare providers can ensure those rights.
4. Describe the components of healthcare employee and healthcare facility liability when delivering client care.
5. Discuss how confidentiality (HIPAA) must be maintained in healthcare facilities with clients/individuals and
their medical records.
6. Explore legal issues such as sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, negligence, malpractice and violence in the
workplace.
7. Identify the legal issues for accurate documentation, informed consent and advanced directives.
8. Describe the consequences of inappropriate use of health data (including use of social media and email) in
terms of disciplinary action.
9. Using a problem solving process applied to healthcare situations; describe how laws influence healthcare
facilities and the care of clients/individuals.
Module Author:
Diane Gold MS, RN
Normandale Community College
(952) 546-3473
diane.gold@normandale.edu
Revised 2010 by
Pat Reinhart, RN
NAHHA Coordinator, HCCC Instructor, Nursing Faculty
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
pat.reinhart@minneapolis.edu
Dede Carr, BS, LDA
Dental Assistant Instructor, HCCC Instructor
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
dede.carr@minneapolis.edu
Revised 2014 by:
Pat Reinhart, RN
NAHHA Coordinator, HCCC
Instructor, Nursing Faculty
Minneapolis Community &
Technical College
pat.reinhart@minneapolis.edu
3/12/2016
Bonnie Wendt, RN BS
NAR Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Health
Bonnie.Wendt@state.mn.us
Diane Gold, RN, APRN, MS
Consultant
Health Force Minnesota
Dianegold44@gmail.com
Sue Field, RN, DNP, CNE
Consultant
Health Force Minnesota
Sue.field@northlandcollege.edu
1
Table of Contents
Instructor Resource ...................................................................................................... 1
Module Competencies and Instructor Notes .............................................................. 3
Instructor Resources .................................................................................................. 19
PowerPoints .............................................................................................................. 19
Learning Activities ..................................................................................................... 20
Assessment Measurements ...................................................................................... 21
Websites .................................................................................................................... 23
Movies and YouTube Videos ..................................................................................... 23
Vocabulary List ........................................................................................................... 24
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Module Competencies and Instructor Notes
MODULE
COMPETENCY
1. Explain the laws
related to healthcare
and their influence on
the delivery system.
UNIT
COMPETENCY
1A. Discuss common legal
terms.
1B. Name the federal laws
related to Healthcare.
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
1A. Healthcare facilities operate
under federal, state, and local
laws. All healthcare workers must
function within these laws.
1B. FEDERAL LAWS:
a. Discrimination Acts: Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC)
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Review Vocabulary List for Legal Issues in
Healthcare (at end of this section)
Search the web for Federal Healthcare Laws
Discuss online/in class the laws and their impact on
healthcare for workers and recipients of care
b. American Disability Act (ADA):
prevents employment
discrimination against disabled
applicants who are qualified to
perform the job with reasonable
accommodations
c. Equal pay Act (1993): prevents
wage discrimination
d. Patient Self -Determination Act
(PSDA) 1991 Requires Federally
funded health care facilities to
inform clients/residents about their
rights to make treatment choices.
Receivers of care must be asked if
they have a Living Will or a
Durable Power of Attorney for
HealthCare.
e. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act (OBRA) 1987 Created an
enforcement regulation with an
emphasis on resident centered
outcomes for enhanced quality of
life/quality of care of residents in
3/12/2016
Review types of discrimination for employment and
the benefits of the Act to healthcare
Review the Act and discuss the benefits for
healthcare
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RECOMMENDED
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INSTRUCTOR NOTES
nursing homes. Also regulates the
education and registration of
nursing assistants.
Online/ in class discussion regarding the rights to
determine treatment choices. How may the culture of
the client impact this?
f. Health Insurance Portability &
Accountability Act” HIPAA(1966)
Regulation on client privacy and
electronic medical record
1C. Discuss state laws that
relate to healthcare.
Discuss online/in class the need for regulation of
health care occupations.
Review the Act on the website provided.
Class discussion of the issues associated with
maintaining client privacy.
1C. State laws
Dept. Health Human Services
a. Criminal background checks
b. Background studies are required
for employees who provide
direct contact service to
residents/patients in facilities
licensed by the state (Example:
MN Department of Health)
Discuss the reason/purpose for the completion of
background studies
Good Samaritan Law (Example:
MN Good Samaritan Law)
a. Law that protects healthcare
workers when they help someone
in an emergency situation outside
of their workplace.
Review the statute and discuss the ramifications of
the statute for healthcare workers.
Discuss how the Good Samaritan Act impacts the
healthcare worker.
Vulnerable Adult Law (Example:
Minnesota Vulnerable Adult Law).
a. A law that provides for protection
of adults considered vulnerable
due to physical, mental or
emotional impairment.
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MODULE
COMPETENCY
UNIT
COMPETENCY
1D. Explain why everyone
should have an advanced
directive whether they are ill
or not.
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
1D. Advanced Directive
a. A document that states what the
patient wishes to happen to his
body while alive but unable to
speak for himself.
Living will
a.
A document that specifies the
patient’s wishes when he has a
terminal illness
Show a copy of a living will.
Healthcare Proxy
a.
A person who has been
designated to make medical
decisions for the patient when he
is unable to speak for himself.
Durable Power of Attorney for
healthcare
a.
1E. Define differences
between certification,
registration and licensure.
A document that designates a
person to make medical
decisions for the patient.
1E. Certification
a. A document that states a
person has fulfilled the
requirements of and may
practice in that field.
b. Certification can be for one
task, to do a job, or in a field
c. Phlebotomist
Discuss the differences in a Living Will and Durable
Power of Attorney
Identify health related occupations that are certified,
registered or licensed
Registration
a.
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A written record of an individual
practicing within a field.
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RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
b.
c.
Nursing Assistant--NA
The person is placed on an
official list
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Discuss the various roles and responsibilities of
health care workers and their level of ability to
provide healthcare
Licensure
a. Credential issued by
governmental agencies, often the
state
b. Done to protect the public.
c. Need to take a test to be licensed.
d. Legally permitted to perform
certain acts such as those
performed by RNs, LPNs
2. Describe one’s legal
responsibility related
to abuse, neglect,
exploitation, and the
Vulnerable Adults
Law.
2A. Define abuse.
2A. Abuse
a. The willful infliction of injury,
unreasonable confinement,
intimidation, or
b. This punishment that results in
physical harm, pain, or mental
anguish
2B. Why abuse may occur
2B. Explain why abuse may
occur
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Stressed
Tired
Overwhelmed
Personal problems
Loss of control
2C. Identify types of abuse
2C. Types of abuse:
1. Physical
a. Conduct that produces pain or
injury and is not accidental.
2. Verbal
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COMPETENCY
UNIT
COMPETENCY
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
a. Repeated conduct that
produces mental or emotional
stress,
Psychological/ Mental
a. Conduct that is threatening to
harm a person, or threatening
to withhold food, fluid, or care
as a form of punishment
Sexual
a. When physical force or verbal
threats are used to force a
person to perform a sexual act.
Any sexual contact between a
staff person and a client is
sexual abuse.
2D. Define neglect.
2D. Neglect
a. Failing to provide care to the
patient to prevent physical harm
or mental anguish
b.
2E. Define exploitation
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Failure to provide food, clothing,
shelter, health care or
supervision. Can be deliberate or
accidental.
2E. Exploitation
a. Illegal use of vulnerable adult’s
person or property through
undue influence, duress,
deception or fraud.
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UNIT
COMPETENCY
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
2F. Identify populations at
risk for abuse, neglect or
exploitation.
1F. Populations at risk
a. The aging population
b. Adults with a disability
c. Persons who cannot help
themselves if they are hurt or
misused by others, children and
adults.
d. Persons 18 years of age or older
who:
i. live in licensed facilities
ii. receive services from licensed
agencies
iii. are in family settings but
cannot report abuse or neglect
themselves
2G. Identify Federal and State
laws protecting vulnerable
persons.
2G. Federal Child Abuse Prevention
and Treatment Act
a. Requires the reporting of
physical and mental abuse of
children
b. Protects those who do the
reporting.
c. Patient confidentiality does
not exist in cases of suspected
abuse.
Vulnerable Adult Law (Example:
Minnesota Vulnerable Adult Law).
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Refer to CAPT (Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act) website
Read the Act
Read the Vulnerable Adult Act
a. A law that provides for
protection of adults
considered vulnerable due to
physical, mental or
emotional impairment.
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UNIT
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MODULE CONTENT
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
b. Protects adults who because
of disability are considered
vulnerable to abuse or
neglect.
c. Protects person who cannot
help themselves if hurt or
,misused by others
d. Persons 18 years of age or
older who:
i. live in licensed facilities
ii. receive services from
licensed agencies
iii. are in family settings but
cannot report abuse or
neglect themselves
2H. Explain an individual’s
legal responsibility if abuse or
neglect is suspected.
2H. Legal responsibility
The worker is legally responsible for
reporting abuse immediately to the
supervisor and should follow facility
policy for reporting.
A. Know the abuse prevention plan
for a facility
B. Review the written policy
C. Keep a record of incidents
D. Laws protect workers who do the
reporting.
1. Confidentiality of the
reporter is protected.
2. The reporter should not fear
reprisal or retaliation if done
in good faith.
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UNIT
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RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
3.
2I. Explain a facilities legal
responsibility if abuse or
neglect is suspected.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Failure to do so makes the
worker equally responsible
for the abuse.
a. Guilty of a
misdemeanor if
failure to report
b. Liable for damages
caused by the
failure to report.
2I. Facilities Responsibility
A. Develop an abuse protection plan
B. Develop an individual abuse
prevention plan for clients in the
facility.
C. Establish a written policy to
ensure all cases of abuse or
neglect are reported promptly.
D. Keep records of incidents to
monitor for trends or repeated
incidents.
3. Explain client rights
and responsibilities
and how healthcare
providers can ensure
those rights.
3/12/2016
3A. Identify the purpose of the
Patient’s Bill of Rights.
3A. The Patient’s Bill of Rights is:
A list of rights of patients published
by the American Hospital
Association (1992) & OBRA to
guarantee rights of all patients.
a. Patients have the right to
make decisions about their
healthcare.
b. Patients have the right to
safe, considerate care.
Small group discussions online/in class regarding the
importance of the Bill of Rights to patient care.
How does the ethnicity or culture of the patient
affect the meaning of the Bill of Rights?
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MODULE
COMPETENCY
UNIT
COMPETENCY
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
All healthcare providers are
obligated to uphold and
protect these rights.
The dignity, confidentiality
and privacy of the patient
will be protected.
The patient is Involved in
decisions about care.
The patient will be informed
how much care costs.
The patient will have
privacy protected.
The patient may accept or
refuse care.
Resident’s Bill of Right’s:
a. OBRA guarantees the rights
of residents in nursing
homes.
3B. Identify the purpose of
the Resident’s Bill of Rights.
3B. Nursing Home Resident’s Bill of
Rights
1. The resident has the right to:
(Refer to the Bill for a complete
listing)
a. be informed
b. examine federal or state surveys
re: the facility
c. be accorded personal dignity in
dealings with staff
d. Receive quality care regardless
of race, color, ethnic origin, age
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Review the Minnesota Resident’s Bill of Rights (or
your state’s Resident’s Bill of Rights) from the
webpage
Small group discussions online/ in class regarding
the importance of the Bill of Rights to patient care.
How does the ethnicity or culture of the patient
affect the meaning of the Bill of Rights
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RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
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INSTRUCTOR NOTES
re; origin, marital status, sexual
preferences. or handicap.
have continuity of care
refuse treatment
have privacy
be addressed by preferred name
have confidentiality maintained
be free from restraint
3C. Explain how to help
client/individual’s keep their
rights.
3C. A copy of the Patient or
Resident’s Bill of Rights must be
given on admission
a. A copy of the Patient or
Resident’s Bill of Rights must be
posted in an area where it is
easily seen
b. Give patients/residents/clients as
much control over their care as
possible
c. Explain tasks and what will be
done
d. Protect the patient/resident’s
privacy
3D. Discuss how to report and
document a violation of patient
rights.
3D. How to report and document
a. Report to the supervisor any
violation of patient rights.
b.
Document exactly what you saw.
Be specific. Facts only not
opinions.
c.
Follow facility policy for scope
of Practice or role of the
healthcare worker
12
MODULE
COMPETENCY
4. Describe the
components of
healthcare employee and
healthcare facility
liability when delivering
client care.
UNIT
COMPETENCY
4A. Define: liability,
negligence, malpractice and
scope of practice.
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
4A. Definitions:
Liability
a. Responsibility according to
law.
Negligence
a. Failing to provide services to
a patient in the same
manner, as a reasonably
prudent person would do.
Breaching a standard of
care.
Malpractice
a. Negligence that results in
harm to the patient.
Role within job description
a. Practice within the
guidelines of training,
profession, and organization
job description.
b. What one is legally allowed
to do.
4B. Discuss what a policy and
procedure is.
3/12/2016
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
4B. Policy and Procedure
a. Policies & Procedures (P & P’s)
guide workers conduct and
patient care.
b.
P & P’s help maintain
compliance with the various laws
governing the workplace.
c.
There are facility and job
policies and procedures that need
to be followed.
Review job descriptions for health related
occupations.
Review sample policies and procedures.
13
MODULE
COMPETENCY
5. Discuss how
confidentiality (HIPAA)
must be maintained in
healthcare facilities with
clients and their medical
records.
3/12/2016
UNIT
COMPETENCY
RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
4C. Describe how policy and
procedures protect the worker
and client from harm.
4C. How P & P’s protect the client
and the employee:
a. Only do what you know how to
do and what is allowed.
b. Perform procedures in the way
you were trained and use good
judgment.
5A. Define confidentiality.
5A. Confidentiality
a. Clients have a legal right to
privacy concerning their
medical/personal affairs.
5B. Discuss examples of
confidential information
5B. Confidential Information
a. Patient’s Personal History
b. Patient Medical History
c. Diagnosis
d. Treatment Plan
e. Prognosis
5C. Discuss with whom
confidential information can
be shared
5C. Confidential information
a. Do not discuss the patient
where someone might
overhear you (elevators,
hallway, cafeteria or outside
the workplace with family
and friends)
b. Information can only be
discussed with those
involved in direct patient
care or the supervisor.
c. Patients must give consent
(permission) to transfer
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Case scenario:
Nurse asks you to lift the patient into bed and you
have not been trained to do this. What would you
do?
Review HIPAA
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UNIT
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RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
information to other
healthcare providers.
5D. Define libel and slander.
5D. Libel
a. Making false statements about
another person in writing.
Slander
a. Making false statements about
another person verbally.
6. Explore legal issues
such as sexual
harassment, wrongful
discharge, negligence,
malpractice and violence
in the workplace.
6A. Define terms: Sexual
harassment, Wrongful
discharge and Malpractice
6A. Sexual harassment
a. Unwelcome actions that are
sexual in nature
The Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) is a
government agency that handles
sexual harassment complaints that
cannot be settled at the workplace
a. quid pro quo: job privileges or
advancement on granting sexual
favors
Wrongful discharge
a. When someone is fired who
shouldn’t be fired.
b. Due process of employee rights
is defined by the employer & the
union if applicable.
Malpractice
a. Negligence that results in harm
to the patient.
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MODULE CONTENT
b.
c.
7. Identify the legal
issues for accurate
documentation, informed
consent and advanced
directives.
7A. Discuss accurate
documentation
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
To prevent being sued perform
procedures in the way you were
trained and only do what you
can do.
Stay within your role as defined
by the employer.
7A. Accurate Documentation
a. Implications of inaccurate
documentation
7B. Define Informed Consent
7C. Discuss Advanced
Directives
7B. Define Informed Consent
a. When Informed Consent is
needed
7C. Discuss Advanced Directives
a. Consequences when no
Advanced Directives
8. Describe the
consequences of
inappropriate use of
health data (including
use of social media and
email) in terms of
disciplinary action.
8A. Define social media
8B. Discuss inappropriate use
of social media
8C. Describe consequences
when social media is
inappropriately used.
8A. Social Media
a. computer
b. Cell phones
c. iPod
d. Twitter
e. Facebook, etc.
f. Texting
g. Cameras
8B. Unacceptable use of social media
a. While providing care
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UNIT
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RECOMMENDED
MODULE CONTENT
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
INSTRUCTOR NOTES
When talking to a client,
patient, resident or
customer
Private emails when
working
Taking pictures of
individuals being cared for
Personal calls when working
Sharing individuals personal
information
8C. Result of inappropriate use of
social media
a. Loss of job
b. Criminal investigation
c. Loss of license, certification
d. Removal from state registry
9. Using a problem
solving process applied
to healthcare situations,
describe how laws
influence healthcare
facilities and the care of
clients.
3/12/2016
9A. Discuss the problem
solving process as applied to
legal issues in health care
utilizing a team approach
9A. Utilize a five-step problem
solving process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify the problem.
Gather information
Create alternative solutions
Select and act/implement
solutions
5. Evaluate and revise as needed
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Instructor Resources
INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES – These resources can be found
 on the following pages and
 on the HealthForce Minnesota website (password protected)
o http://www.healthforceminnesota.org/Resources.html
 Vocabulary List
 LIH Competency 1 Patients’ Bill of Rights (PDF)
 LIH Competency 1 Residents Bill of Rights (PDF)
 LIH Competency 1 Healthcare Bill of Rights (PDF)
 LIH Competency 1 Health Care Directive (PDF)
 LIH Competency 1 MN Health Care Directive Planning
Toolkit (PDF)
 LIH Competency 1 MN Health Care Directive Toolkit (PDF)

HOSA Resources - Health Occupations Students of America
(HOSA) is a National Career and Technical Student Organization
(CTSO) endorsed by the Department of Education and the Health
Occupations Education Division of the Association of Career and
Technical Education (http://www.hosa.org).

The content in this module can be used to support the HOSA
competitive events. See the HOSA crosswalk on the HealthForce
MN website
PowerPoints FOR INSTRUCTORS
These PowerPoints are in-depth background material. They can be used as review of
Information for the instructor, or as a reading assignment for students. The PowerPoints
are saved as PowerPoints and also as a handout outline in Word.
 The PowerPoints can be found at the HealthForce Minnesota Websidte
(password protected) at:
http://www.healthforceminnesota.org/Resources.html
o LIH Competency 1 Healthcare Laws
o LIH Competency 2 Abuse and Neglect in Healthcare
o LIH Competency 4 and 5 Legal Issues
POWERPOINT FOR CLASSROOM USE
 LIH Legal Issues in Healthcare for Classroom
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Learning Activities
These learning activities can be found on the HealthForce Minnesota Website
(password protected) at: http://www.healthforceminnesota.org/Resources.html
LIH Competency 1: Team Assignment Organizations/Laws
This is a team based assignment in which the team researches an organization or law,
and presents it to the group.
LIH Competency 1: Medical Grid
This assignment involves studying advanced directives, then having the student
discuss with family members four different case scenarios and deciding upon an
advanced directive in these situations for themselves.
LIH Competency 1: Scenarios – Living Will
This learning activity gives two short scenarios with questions to answer.
LIH Competency 2: Scenarios – Abuses in Healthcare
This learning activity provides three short scenarios for discussion on the type of abuse
portrayed in each scenario.
LIH Competency 2: Scenario – Vulnerable Adults
This scenario portrays elder abuse and offers questions for thoughtful discussion or
assignment.
LIH Competency 3: Scenario -Health Care Bill of Rights
This learning activity has students looking up the bill of rights and applying what they
learn to questions in a scenario.
LIH Competency 2 3 4 5 6 9 Scenarios – Abuse, Sexual Harassment,
Confidentiality, and Neglect
This learning activity has 4 scenarios with questions to answer.
LIH Competency 5 9 Scenario HIPAA Discussion
This learning activity has a scenario with discussion questions on HIPAA.
LIH Competency 8 Consequence of Misusing Social Media
This assignment has the students review a social media white paper, watch a You Tube
on examples of misuse of social media and then answer questions pertaining to the You
Tube video.
LIH Competency 9 Health Care in the New
Students on a weekly basis, find a healthcare article in the news and write and report on
it.
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LIH Competency 9 Disease in our World – Public Health Task Force
Students research a disease, and develop a public health policy.
Assessment Measurements
LIH exams
Rubrics for grading:
 Presentations
 Written Assignments
 Written Papers
 Reflective Journaling
 Online Discussion
 Online Assignments
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Websites

Includes multiple patients bills of rights (patient, resident, and home care)
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/consumerinfo/otherlang2.html

Minnesota Statute on background studies on licensees
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=144.057

Website: MN Adult Protective Services
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVE
RSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=id_005710

Minnesota Statutes-Definitions of Abuse-Neglect
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=626.5572

Minnesota Law for Reporting Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=626.557

Visit the Minnesota Health Care Directive Toolkit
http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/projects/pdf/mnhcd2010.pdf

MDH: Safety without restraints
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/safety.htm

Minnesota’s Good Samaritan Law.
www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/604A/01.html
Movies and YouTube Videos

Philadelphia (A 1993 movie. starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington).
(125 minutes).
Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer infected with AIDS, is fired from his
conservative law firm in fear that they might contract AIDS from him. After
Andrew is fired, in a last attempt for peace, he sues his former law firm
with the help of a homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller. During the court battle,
Miller sees that Beckett is no different than anyone else on the gritty
streets of the city of brotherly love, sheds his homophobia and helps
Beckett with his case before AIDS overcomes him.
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Vocabulary List
1. Abuse: The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or
punishment that results in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish.
2. Advanced Directive: A document that states what the patient wishes to happen to
his body while alive and unable to speak for himself.
3. Certification: A document that states a person has fulfilled the requirements of and
may practice in that field.
4. Civil Law: Society’s rules and regulations for dealing fairly with litigating parties.
5. Client: Person who purchases health care services; term often used by social
workers and home health agencies.
6. Confidentiality: Preserving the legal rights of a patient to privacy concerning their
affairs. Holding in trust, keeping private, not sharing spoken and written words about
a resident/patient.
7. Consent: To give permission.
8. Criminal Law: Seeks to protect the public from harmful acts by punishing those
who break the rules.
9. Discrimination: To make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other that
individual worthiness.
10. Ethics: Standards of behavior and moral judgment to evaluate right and wrong.
11. Etiquette: Acceptable manners or social behavior in public or work places.
12. Fraud: A form of dishonesty that involves cheating or trickery.
13. Hostile Environment: Sexual conduct such as dirty jokes or lewd remark or
gestures.
14. Informal consent: To give permission for a procedure after it has been explained
along with the possible consequences.
15. Law: Rules and regulations by which society is governed.
16. Legislation: Laws.
17. Liability: Responsibility.
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18. Libel: Making false statements about another person in writing.
19. Licensure: A designation that means a person had been granted permission to
legally perform certain tasks.
20. Malpractice: Professional negligence that results in harm to the patient. (Civil Law)
21. Neglect: Failing to provide care to the patient to prevent physical harm in mental
anguish.
22. Negligence: Failing to provide services to a patient in the same manner, as a
reasonably prudent person with a certain training and experience would do.
23. Ombudsman: An advocate or representative who speaks or writes in support of
residents for their cause or complaint.
24. Patient: Person having physical or emotional illness who receives care from health
workers.
25. Policy: A rule established and followed by an organization.
26. Procedure: Specific steps taken to perform a task.
27. Proxy: A person who has been designated to make medical decisions for the
patient when he is unable to speak for himself.
28. Quid pro quo: Job privileges or advancement on granting sexual favors.
29. Registration: A written record of an individual practicing within a field.
30. Rights: Something to which one is justly entitled.
31. Scope of Practice: A description or list of skills that a specific occupational title is
legally allowed to perform.
32. Sexual Harassment: Unwelcomed sexual advancements, sexual favors or verbal
or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with job performance.
33. Slander: Verbally making false statements about another person.
34. Standards of Care: Care skill and judgment practiced by a reasonable caregiver.
35. Standards: Something set up for a measure of quality.
36. Sue: To bring legal action against someone.
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37. Wrongful Discharge: When someone is fired who shouldn’t be fired
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