10-530-178Healthcare Law & Ethics
Course Information
Description
Examines regulations for the content, use, confidentiality, disclosure, and retention of health information. An overview of the legal system and ethical issues are addressed.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. MAINTAIN a legally defensible health record
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you differentiate between the legal health record and the designated record set
    you examine record security and integrity concepts

  2. EXAMINE the processes and legal documents intended to assure patient rights (i.e. Advance Directives, consents, research and IRB process, DNR, etc.)
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you identify patient’s rights according to regulations and standards
    you outline procedural steps in the documentation and maintenance of a patient's advanced directive
    you outline processes to execute a patient's advance directive
    you identify elements in an informed consent
    you determine who may consent in given situations

  3. INTERPRET laws and regulations affecting health information
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you state the function and membership of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the US government
    you describe the role of precedent, government and administrative agencies in law making
    you trace legislation from its inception to its current state
    you identify sources of law/resources for monitoring changes in legislation and accrediting agency standards
    you access federal and state legislation and accrediting agency standards that apply to a given situation

  4. APPLY confidentiality, privacy, and security measures pertaining to the use, access, disclosure and exchange of protected health information
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you ensure policies address state and federal privacy and security laws
    you explain concept of medical identify theft and consequences
    you ensure state and federal privacy and security laws for given situations
    you comply with HIPAA regulations regarding the patient’s right to access, amend and restrict disclosure of their protected health information
    you apply access and disclosure policies and procedures

  5. PROCESS requests for health information
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you verify that the authorization for disclosure contains required elements
    you categorize given cases as reportable/nonreportable under mandatory reporting requirements legislation
    you apply state formula for calculation of copying fees/follow procedures for billing for copies
    you determine the federal or state law that applies to specific cases
    you review given cases to determine whether information may be released
    you follow procedures for processing a request for patient related information
    you maintain user access logs/systems to track access to and disclosure of identifiable patient data

  6. PREPARE health information for legal proceedings
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you determine appropriate court case criteria met for certified copies
    you verify certification process is complete
    you update user access logs/systems to track access to and disclosure of identifiable patient data
    you describe how to notify appropriate personnel

  7. RECOMMEND response to breach of professional ethics
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, written or graphic assessment
    Criteria
    you evaluate the nature of the breach in ethics
    you provide a recommended response (i.e. disciplinary action, legal action etc.) to the breach in ethics