Legal Concepts and Issues in Emergency Care

by Lee

• ISBN13: 9780721683249
• ISBN10: 072168324X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-09-05
• Publisher: Saunders

Summary

This text offers comprehensive coverage of legal considerations for every phase of the emergency care process. Case law from federal and state courts emphasizes key legal concepts in each section.

Table of Contents

Section I General Legal Concepts
Introduction to the Legal System and Its Processes	3	(10)
Branches of Government and the Law	4	(5)
Sources of Law	9	(2)
Conclusion	11	(2)
Components of a Civil Lawsuit	13	(8)
Nature of the Legal System	14	(1)
Components	15	(1)
Pleadings	16	(1)
Discovery	17	(2)
Trial	19	(1)
Post-Trial	20	(1)
Conclusion	20	(1)
Role of the Emergency Care Professional in a Legal Case	21	(6)
Witness Role	22	(1)
Party	23	(1)
Preparation for Role	24	(1)
Conclusion	25	(2)
Law and Ethics in Emergency Care	27	(10)
General Ethical Concepts	28
Specific Ethical Concepts and the Law	29	(32)
Emerging Issues	32	(1)
Conclusion	33	(4)
Section II Consent and Confidentiality
Consent	37	(28)
Types of Consent	39	(2)
Capacity Issues	41	(16)
Incompetency/Impairment	57	(2)
Prisoner, Suspects, or Detainees	59	(1)
Communication Barriers	59	(1)
Documentation	60	(1)
Conclusion	61	(4)
Refusal to Consent or Withdrawal of Consent	65	(14)
Minors	66	(2)
Left without Being Seen	68	(1)
Against Medical Advice	69	(1)
Treatment Options	70	(2)
Do Not Resuscitate	72	(1)
Advance Directives	73	(2)
Conclusion	75	(4)
Managed Care and Consent	79	(4)
Managed Care and the Emergency Department	80	(1)
Conclusion	81	(2)
Confidentiality and Privacy Issues	83	(18)
Federal and State Law	85	(1)
Physical Environment	86	(1)
Medical Records	86	(1)
Impact of Technology	87	(2)
Telemedicine	89	(2)
Special Situations	91	(4)
Conclusion	95	(6)
Section III Unique Circumstances in Emergency Care
Forensics in Emergency Care	101	(16)
Principles Regarding Chain of Custody	102	(1)
Crime Scene Integrity in Prehospital Care	103	(1)
Sexual Assault Evidence Collection	104	(1)
Suspects in Custody of Law Enforcement Authorities or Prisoners	105	(2)
Blood Specimens for Alcohol or Drug Testing	107	(4)
Coroner/Medical Examiner Cases	111	(1)
Other Types of Forensic Cases	111	(3)
Conclusion	114	(3)
Psychiatric Emergency Care	117	(14)
Medical Clearance	119	(1)
Involuntary Commitment of Psychiatric Patients	119	(2)
Restraints	121	(3)
Duty to Warn Third Parties	124	(1)
Suicide/Attempted Suicide	125	(1)
Alcohol/Substance Abuse	126	(1)
Rights of Psychiatric Patients	127	(1)
Emerging Issues	127	(1)
Conclusion	127	(4)
Laws and Regulations for Special Treatment Centers	131	(6)
Trauma Centers	132	(2)
Burn Centers	134	(1)
Pediatric Centers	134	(1)
Heart or Chest Pain Centers	134	(1)
Obstetrical Care	135	(1)
Conclusion	135	(2)
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)	137	(14)
Definitions in the Law	139	(4)
Hospital and Physician Roles	143	(3)
Transport	146	(1)
Penalties for Violations	147	(1)
State Laws	148	(1)
Emerging Issues	148	(1)
Conclusion	149	(2)
Advance Health Care Professionals in Emergency Care	151	(30)
James T. Noland
Nurse Practitioner	153	(16)
Physician Assistants	169	(6)
Case Managers	175	(2)
Clinical Nurse Specialists	177	(1)
Conclusion	178	(3)
Prehospital Care: Emergency Medical Services (EMS)	181	(10)
General Concepts	183	(2)
Documentation	185	(1)
Data Collection	186	(1)
Patient Care Legal Issues	186	(1)
Good Samaritan Laws	187	(1)
Emerging Issues	187	(1)
Conclusion	188	(3)
Aeromedical Transport	191	(10)
James T. Noland
History	192	(1)
Governing Laws	192	(2)
Personnel	194	(1)
Communication	194	(1)
Roles and Scope of Practice	195	(1)
Patient Care Legal Issues	195	(2)
Conclusion	197	(4)
Section IV Torts: Injury to the Person
Intentional Torts	201	(8)
Assault and Battery	202	(2)
False Imprisonment	204	(1)
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress	204	(1)
Defenses	204	(2)
Conclusion	206	(3)
Professional Negligence	209	(14)
Definition	211	(1)
Elements	211	(5)
Defenses	216	(4)
Emerging Issues	220	(1)
Conclusion	220	(3)
Other Torts	223	(8)
Defamation	224	(2)
Invasion of Privacy	226	(1)
Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress	226	(1)
Wrongful Death	227	(1)
Conclusion	227	(4)
Appendix A Summons	231	(4)
Appendix B Civil Subpoena	235	(4)
Appendix C Civil Subpoena Duces Tecum	239	(4)
Appendix D Rights of Psychiatric Patients	243	(4)
Appendix E Discovery Document	247	(4)
Appendix F Medical Record Release Form	251	(4)
Appendix G Emergency Treatment Physician Certification	255	(4)
Appendix H Hospital Standardized Consent Form	259	(4)
Appendix I Websites for Medical/Nursing Boards by State	263	(4)
Appendix J Summary of Cases by Chapter	267	(10)
Appendix K Acts	277	(6)
Glossary	283	(10)
Index	293