| A | B |
|---|
| Malpractice | harmful, incorrect, or negligent practice or treatment of a patient by a health care provider |
| Negligence | failure of a health care provider to perform his/her duties in a responsible manner that results in injury to a patient |
| Illegal Restraint | holding a person against his/her will by using a restrictive device or other means |
| Invasion of Privacy | the giving out of information about an individual or patient without his/her consent |
| Liable | to be legally responsible for failing to perform professional duties to meet the standards of care and/or causing harm or injury |
| Libel | a written (email is included) statement that provides false information which can cause damage to a person's reputation |
| Contract | an agreement between two or more parties |
| Conduct | the manner in which a person displays his/her behavior |
| Consent | the giving of one's permission to another to perform a procedure or action |
| Breach of Contract | the breaking of a promise, agreement, or contract in which parties have agreed upon |
| Licensure | legal permission to perform an occupation given by governmental agencies |
| Privileged Communication | a patient's personal information given to a health care worker that must be kept confidential |
| Reasonable Care | the legal obligation of a health care worker to provide competent care according to the expected standards of practice |
| Slander | spoken misrepresentations that are proven false and can damage another's reputation |
| Assault | the threatening or attempt to injure a person in an unlawful manner |
| Battery | the unlawful touching of another that results in injury |
| Litigation | the determining of a person's legal rights either by a lawsuit or some form of legal action |
| Civil Law | a legal relationship between individuals |
| Criminal Law | legal obligations between an individual and society or state |
| Felony | a more serious crime than a misdemeanor in which the punishment is imprisonment |
| Misdemeanor | a less serious offense than a felony; may be punishable by a fine or sentencing to a local prison for less than one year |
| Tort | a civil wrongful act causing harm or injury due to the healthcare worker not performing the standard of care |
| Advanced Directive | a written document that specifies if extraordinary measures are to be taken to prolong life if the patient can no longer make his/her decision |
| Living Will | a legal document prepared while a person is mentally competent that specifies what his/her wishes are regarding end-of life care |
| Durable Power of Attorney | a legal document that designates another person to make health care decisions in the event that the person is mentally or physically incapable of making their own |
| Code of Ethics | guidelines for the actions of people in a profession; similar to moral standards |
| Patient's Bill of Rights | a patient has the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted under law and if he or she is fully informed of the medical consequences of refusal |
