EMT Basic - AAOS - Chapter 3 Latest Update Graded A

EMT Basic - AAOS - Chapter 3 Latest Update Graded A Basic Principle of Emergency Medical Care do no further harm Consent permission to treat or transport a patient within your scope of practice Decision Making Capacity is the ability fo a patient to understand the information you are providing to him or her, coupled with the ability to process that information and make an informed choice regarding medical care that is appropriate for him or her. Patient Autonomy the right of a patient to make decisions concerning his or her health. Competence a legal term usually used by courts instead of "Decision Making Capacity". Expressed Consent (or actual consent) is given when patient verbally or otherwise acknowledges that he or she wants you to provide care and or transport. Can be non-verbal. Informed Consent consent that was given after the EMT or EMS agent provided the patient with information regarding type of treatment being offered, potential risks, benefits, alternative treatments and potential risks of refusal of treatment. Implied Consent is given when a patient is under the influence of drugs and or alcohol, mentally impaired or suffering from injuries such as head trauma that makes them incapable of making an informed decision. Should only be used when there is serious threat to life or limb. Emergency Doctrine the principle of implied consent Medicolegal Judgement legal proceedings that show show your efforts to obtain consent and thoroughly written run report. Next of Kin a person's closet living relative(s) Emancipated Minor an individual who is under the legal age in a state but can be legally treated as an adult in certain circumstances In Loco Parentis means in place of the parent or guardian. This includes teachers, school officials or staff members at a camp ground. Forcible Treatment is sometimes needed when your are confronted with a patient who in in need of medical treatment and or transportation but is combative and presents a danger to themselves and or others. Breach of Confidentiality disclosure of patient information without proper authorization with a subpoena or a signed written release form the patient. Protected Health Information all patient information that was obtained during the course of treatment and or transportation. Medical information and patient I.D. information included. Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) a document that states you may or may not be able to treat a patient and may not attempt to revive them if they need resuscitation. Competent a patient in a position to make rational and informed decisions regarding their health care. Advance Directive a written document by a competent patient that states what medical treatments are allowed once that patient becomes incapable of making rational and informed decisions. Usually used in cases of comatose. Health Care Directive a document stating what kind of care can be used in specific situations where the patient in unable to make rational and informed decisions. Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care/Health Care Proxy designations that state a surrogate has been named to make decisions for the patient regarding healthcare matters. Hypothermia when the internal body temperature reaches levels below 95 F or 35 C Definitive (or Conclusive) Signs of Death signs that a person is no longer living and can be obvious to even non-medical personal. Dependent Lividity blood Settling to the lowest point of the body causing discoloration. Rigor Mortis the physical stiffening of the body due to chemical changes in the muscles. Full effect usually between 2 and 12 hours. Putrefaction decomposition of Body Tissues. Typically occurs between 40 and 96 hours after death. Scope of Practice outlines the care you are able to provide to the patient. Usually defined by state law. Online Medical Direction radio or telephone communication and or instruction to an EMT professional from an Medical Director or Physician. Offline Medical Direction standing orders, written instruction or protocols from a Medical Director or Physician. Standard of Care the manner in which you must handle a situation where your actions have the potential to harm others. (What a reasonable EMS professional would do in a similar situation.) Emergency a serious situation such as in injury or illness that arises and needs to be addressed immediately as it threatens the life or an individual or group of people. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Basic Life Support (BLS) technique that is used to to regain or maintain lung and or heart function in a patient. Certification process of which individual, institution or program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain standards to ensure safe and ethical patient care. Licensure process of which an competent authority grants permission for a individual or group to practice a job, trade or profession. Duty to Act is the healthcare providers responsibility to provide patient care. Negligence is the failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide in the same or similar situation. Proximate Causation theory where you can be sued when your an EMS professional and you have abused your Duty to Act and there is negligence against your patient. Res Ipsa Loquitor states that an EMT can be held liable for injuries to an patient were sustained by an instrument under the EMT's use and if it can be proven that such injures don't happen unless negligence is present. Negligence theory that may be used when the conduct of an EMS professional clearly violates a statute that was in effect during the time of incident. Torts civil wrongs Abandonment is the unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patients consent and or without making provisions for continuing medical treatment from a competent medical professional able to provide care. Defamation The communication of false information that damages a patients reputation. Libel written defamation. Slander spoken defamation. Good Samaritan Laws based on the common law principle that when you reasonably help another person, you should not be liable for errors or omissions that are made in giving good faith emergency care. Gross Negligence is defined as conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard of duty and or standard of care. Ethics the philosophy of right and wrong Morality the code of conduct that can be defined by society, religion or a person affecting character, conduct and conscience. Bioethics addresses issues of right and wrong in the practice of health. Applied Ethics the manner of which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct. Statute of Limitations the time period a court case must be commenced. Governmental Immunity usually only applies to EMS that are operated by municipalities or other governmental entities. Contributory Negligence is a legal defense in which a patient feels the conduct of a patient somehow contributed to injuries sustained.