agency
An administrative division of a government or international organization
agent
A person or business authorized to act on another’s behalf.
certification
A process by which a person is made able to do a job, and recognized as such.
civil law
The body of law governing certain relationships between people, such as marriage, contracts, and torts (injuries).
continuity of care
Assurance that an updated relevant “snapshot” of the patient’s health information is available to any and all clinicians at time of encounter.
contracts
Legally binding exchange of promises or an agreement between parties that the law will enforce.
criminal law
The body of law that defines criminal offenses, deals with the apprehension, charging, and trial of suspected persons, and fixes penalties applicable to convicted offenders.
defamatory
Statement that causes injury to another’s reputation.
diagnosis
The identification of a medical condition.
directive
Something that serves to guide
durable power of attorney for health care
A type of advance medical directive in which legal documents provide the power of attorney (the authorization to act on someone else’s behalf in a legal or business matter) to another person in the case of an incapacitating medical condition.
exempt
To be free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject.
expressed contracts
Contracts in which terms are written out in the document.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
A law that includes regulations ensuring the privacy of patient information.
informed consent
The legal condition in which a person agrees to something, after he or she understands all the facts and implications of an action or event.
law
A rule of conduct or procedure
legal disability
A person has a disability for legal purposes if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
liable
Legally responsible.
licensure
A process by which a governmental authority gives permission to a person or health care organization to operate or to work in a profession
living will
A will in which the signer requests not to be kept alive by medical life-support systems in the event of a terminal illness.
malpractice
Failure of a professional person, as a physician, to render proper services through reprehensible ignorance or negligence or through criminal intent, especially. when injury or loss follows.
minor
Underage the legal age of full responsibility.
misrepresentation
Untruth; lie.
obligation
Moral responsibility.
ombudsman
A social worker, nurse, or trained volunteer who ensures that patients are properly cared for and respected.
principal
First or among the first in importance or rank.
prudent
Careful or cautious.
recognition
The quality of being acknowledged or seen.
registration
A list of individuals on an official record who meet the qualifications for an occupation.
relevant
Pertaining to, or having to do with, the patient/client.
resultant
Resulting from an action.
tort
Under civil law, a wrong committed by one person against another.
written consent
The legal condition in which a person agrees to something in writing by signing the document,