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20 terms

Ch. 3-5

Discovery Rule
legal theory that the statute of limitations begins to run at the time the injury is discovered or when the patient should have known the injury.
Good Samaritan Laws
state laws that help to protect from liability healthcare professionals and ordinary citizens who provide emergency care to accident victims.
Prudent Person Rule
also called the "reasonable person standard", means that a healthcare professional, usually a physician, must provide information to a patient that a reasonable, prudent person would want before he/she makes a decision about treatment or refusal of treatment.
Respondeat superior
"let the master answer", means the employer is responsible for the actions of the employee
Statute of Limitations
refers to the period of time that a patient has to file a lawsuit
Associate Practice
legal agreement in which physicians agree to share a facility and staff but not the profits and losses
Conscience Clause
legislation or regulation stating that hospitals and healthcare professionals are not required to assist with such procedures as abortion and sterilization.
Fee Splitting
occurs when one physician offers to pay another physician for the referral of patients
the person, such as a primary care physician, or entity, such as an insurance company, that approves patient referrals to other physicians or services
Group Practice
three or more physicians who share the same facility and practice medicine together
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
a type of managed care plan that offers a range of health services to plan members for a predemtermined fee per member by a limited group of providers
a person who is without funds
federal program that provides healthcare coverage for persons over 65 years of age as well as for disabled persons or those who suffer kidney disease or other debilitating ailments
federal program, implemented by the individual states, to provide financial assistance for the indigent
Solo Practice
a medical practice in which the physician works alone
Advance Directive
the various methods by which a patient has the right to self-determination prior toa medical necessity; includes living wills, healthcare proxies, and durable power of attorney
Implied Consent
Informed Consent
consent granted by a person after the patient has received knowledge and understanding of potential risks and benefits
Living Will
a legal document in which a person states that life-sustaining treatments and nutritional support should not be used to prolong life; a type of advance directive
prediction of the course of a disease