Section 25 Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is the primary legal obligation of emergency physicians?
To provide care within the standard of practice, ensuring patient safety and informed consent.
What is informed consent in emergency medicine?
The process of explaining medical procedures, risks, and benefits to patients, allowing them to make informed decisions.
When can emergency treatment be provided without consent?
In life-threatening situations where the patient is incapacitated and consent cannot be obtained.
What is the principle of autonomy in medical ethics?
The right of patients to make their own healthcare decisions.
How is patient confidentiality maintained in emergency settings?
By securing medical records and sharing information only with authorized personnel.
What is the duty to warn in emergency care?
An obligation to notify third parties if a patient poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others.
How is capacity determined in emergency medicine?
Through assessment of a patient’s ability to understand, appreciate, and communicate about their medical care.
What is the Good Samaritan Law?
Legal protection for those providing emergency care voluntarily without expectation of compensation.
When is restraint permissible in emergency medicine?
When necessary to prevent harm to the patient or others, with the least restrictive means used.
What is the role of advanced directives in emergency care?
They guide medical decisions based on the patient’s pre-determined wishes if they cannot communicate.
How is end-of-life care approached legally in emergencies?
By respecting patient wishes, legal documents, and balancing ethical considerations.
What are the legal implications of medical errors in emergency care?
Potential liability for malpractice if negligence or deviation from standard care is proven.
How is medical documentation important in legal protection?
Accurate records serve as evidence of care provided and adherence to protocols.
What is implied consent in emergency situations?
Consent is assumed when a patient is unable to provide it, and immediate care is necessary to prevent harm.
What is the significance of capacity assessment in emergency care?
It determines if a patient can make informed decisions about their treatment.
How are minors handled in emergency medical situations?
Consent is typically required from parents or guardians, except in emergencies or special cases (e.g., emancipated minors).
What is the purpose of medical ethics in emergency medicine?
To ensure patient rights, autonomy, and justice are upheld during critical care.
What legal considerations exist for treating patients under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
Capacity assessment may be impaired, but emergency treatment should still be provided if necessary.
How is refusal of treatment managed in emergency settings?
Patients with capacity have the right to refuse treatment after being informed of the risks.
What is the role of EMTALA in emergency medicine?
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act mandates hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.
What is the importance of duty of care in emergency medicine?
It establishes the obligation of healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient.
How is malpractice defined in emergency medicine?
Malpractice occurs when standard care is not met, resulting in patient harm.
What is the significance of the ‘prudent patient standard’?
It assesses what information a reasonable person would need to make an informed decision.
How is abandonment defined in emergency medical care?
When a healthcare provider unilaterally terminates the care of a patient without reasonable notice.
