EMT-B Chapter 3

abandonment

unilateral termination of care by the EMT-B w/o the PT's consent & w/o marking provisions for transferring care to another medical professional w/ skills @ the same level or higher

advance directive

written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent PT should the PT become unable to make decisions; also called a living will

assault

unlawfully placing a PT in fear of bodily harm

battery

touching a PT or providing emergency care w/o consent

certification

a process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated & recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe & ethical care

competent

able to make rational decisions about personal well-being

consent

permission to render care

dependent lividity

blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin

DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders

written documentation by a physician giving permission to medical personnel not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest

duty to act

a medicolegal term relating to certain personnel who either by statute or by function have a responsibility to provide care

emergency

a serious situation, such an injury or illness, that threatens the life or welfare of a person or group of people & requires immediate intervention

emergency medical care

immediate care or treatment

expressed consent

a type of consent in which a PT gives express authorization for provision of care or transport

forcible restraint

the act of physically preventing an individual from any physical action

Good Samaritan laws

Statutory provisions enacted by many states to protect citizens from liability for errors & omissions in giving good faith emergency medical care, unless there is wanton, gross, or willful negligence

implied consent

type of consent in which a PT who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment

informed consent

permission for treatment given by a competent PT after the potential risks, benefits, & alternatives to treatment have been explained

medicolegal

a term relating to medical jurisprudence (law) or forensic medicine

negligence

failure to provide the same care that a person w/ similar training would provide

precedence

basing current action on lessons, rules, or guidelines derived from previous similar experiences

putrefaction

decomposition of body tissues

rigor mortis

stiffening of the body; a definitive sign of death

standard of care

written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training & professions; written by legal or professional organizations so that PTs are not exposed to unreasonable risk or harm