1. Medical Legal and Ethics

2. Types of Law
Civil Law – focuses on legal relationships between people and the protection of personal rights
Criminal Law – focuses on wrongs against a person, property or society
Tort – occurs when a person is harmed or injured because a healthcare provider does not meet established or expected standard of care

3. Torts Malpractice Negligence Assault Battery Invasion of Privacy
False Imprisonment
Abuse
Defamation by slander or libel

4. Ethics
Standards of conduct that indicate how one should behave based on moral duties and virtues, which are derived from the principles of right and wrong
Aspects of Ethics - The ability to discern right from wrong
Morals – beliefs, customs, and traditions that reflect personal convictions about right and wrong
Values – core beliefs or desires that guide or motivate attitudes

5. Medical Code of Ethics
1. The health care worker’s primary goal is to promote optimal level of wellness, preserve life and provide for a peaceful death when necessary
2. The health care worker respects the religious beliefs and cultural values of all patients
3. The healthcare worker provides adequate and continuous care for all patients regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or nature of the illness or injury
4. The health care worker knows the limits of practice for which he or she is competent and stays within those limits
5. The health care worker maintains competence and current knowledge by pursuing continuing education

6. Medical Code of Ethics
6. The health care worker practices jurisprudent behavior at all times by avoiding unethical or illegal practices
7. The health care worker respects the dignity and rights of each patient by maintaining confidentiality and a professional attitude regarding all information relating to the client
8. The health care worker asks for clarification and assistance when unsure of any aspect of care
9. The health care worker participates in professional activities and organizations to provide better health care
10. The health care worker maintains a high standard of ethical and legal behavior in his or her PRIVATE life as well as professional life

7. Making Ethical Decisions
1. Have a strong desire to do the right thing
2. Make sure you have all the facts. Do not make assumptions.
3. Have the capacity to develop multiple alternative solutions that minimize ethical dilemmas
4. Predict the consequences of conduct and assess the likelihood that people will be helped or harmed.
5. Perceive and eliminate all unethical options
6. Select the most ethical alternative.

8. Five Steps of Reasoning
1. Clarify – determine the decision to be made
2. Evaluate – Distinguish facts from beliefs and opinions
3. Decide – Make a judgement about what is real and right
4. Implement – Develop a plan on what to do that minimizes risks and maximizes desired outcome
5. Monitor and Modify – few decisions in life are final. Make corrections as necessary

9. Advanced Directives Living Will General Power of Attorney
Medical Power of Attorney
Revocation of Power of Attorney
Do Not Resuscitate Order

10. Legal Terms Medical Director Scope of Practice Duty to Act
Reportable Items
Continuing Education
When to Identify
Punishment

11. Medical Standards of Behavior
1. Confidentiality
2. Accuracy
3. Honesty
4. Dependability