Laws in Healthcare

A law that protects the privacy and confidentiality of patient’s healthcare information

• Patient Self Determination Act of 1991

• Patient's Bill of Rights

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIPAA requires:

• Health care providers to inform patients about how their information is used

• Patients to consent to how their information is used

• Patient consent for information shared regarding public health

• Patients to be able to see their medical records

• Healthcare providers to set limits on how information is used

To comply with HIPAA, healthcare workers should:

• Only share information about patient with those directly involved in care

• Avoid having conversations about patients in places where you might be overheard

• Never discuss someone’s care with friends or family

• Use care to protect passwords at work

• All of the above

The Patient Self Determination Act of 1991 gives a person the right to make decisions about his or her care

• True

• False

Informed consent means that:

• Health care providers must obtain permission before performing a treatment or procedure

• The patient must understand the risks and benefits of a treatment

• The patient is unable to withdraw consent once given

• Can be given by anyone at anytime

An advanced directive is a:

• Type of consent granted implicitly, by a person's actions

• Legal document that allows someone to share what medical treatment they do or do not want

• Law that defines who can look at and receive information about a person’s health status and care

A living will:

• Is not a type of advanced directive

• Gives specific directions about what steps the healthcare team should or should not take to prolong the person’s life when death seems near

• Gives the responsibility for making decisions to someone else

A power of attorney gives the responsibility for making decisions to someone else, such as a family member, in case the person becomes unable to make those decisions on their own

• True

• False

The Patient Self-Determination Act requires health care facilities to teach patients and their family members about advance directives and to assist them with creating one (if the patient wants to)

• True

• False

Policies and procedures are:

• Developed by each healthcare facility

• Guidelines for practices to reduce mistakes and keep patients safe

• Not required to be in compliance with laws

• Should be kept up to date with current evidence

• Not accessible to employees