LEGAL ISSUES IN NURSING

Course # 840
5 CE Hours
$XWKRUV: Julie M. Mroczek, BSN. RN-­BC, CLNC
Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

Course Material valid through 07/2016

Copyright © 2013
W.S. Keefer
All rights reserved
Published by the National Center of Continuing Education, Inc.,
Lakeway, Texas.
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Printed in the United States of America. Enhanced Learning & Skills...
No Exams,
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A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC
WE ALL KNOW . . .
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may be subject to litigation.

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(Title 17, U.S. Code, Section 506, and Title 18, U.S. Code Section 2319).

. . . that civil or criminal litigation may be costly and embarrassing to any organization or individual. We request you
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About the Authors… ...........................................................................................................3

Purpose and Goals ..............................................................................................................3
Instructional Objectives......................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................3
Introduction to Law ............................................................................................................3
Sources of Law ............................................................................................................3
Tort Law ......................................................................................................................5
Professional Liability ..........................................................................................................7
Professional Responsibility ................................................................................................7
Your Rights ..........................................................................................................................9
Discovery ........................................................................................................................... 11
Types of Discovery .................................................................................................... 11
Wrapping It Up .................................................................................................................13
References & Suggested Readings ................................................................................... 13
Legal Terminology/Glossary ............................................................................................. 14
Appendix A, American Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPPA) ..............................................................................................16

We Want You To Learn! ©

Cover Art by Eric Smith, BFA

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participant in their care. Question
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-@;A;U\T\;b/a;@F>;3;)\;DAaT/6_>\;DAa\9/T/aT/a)_TT/A\>ea\9T//a;-/A\;3;/TUa
\9\a9/>FaFTD@D\/aU\A-T-;f\;DA+a/33;);/A)e+aA-a)DAU;U\/A)eJa9/eaT/a\9/a\A-T-UaA;L_/a@F>De/Ta -/A\;3;/T+a
the National Provider Identifier, and the National Health Plan Identifier.

(aA3DT)/@/A\aT_>/U*a/U)T;!/a;@FTDb/@/A\Ua\Da/d;U\;A6a 
a>c+a)Db/T/-a/A\;\;/U+a!_U;A/UUaUUD);\/U+aA-aD\9-
/TUac9DaT/aU_!</)\a\DaT;6DTD_UaU\A-T-UaT/>\/-a\Da Ja9/a aG/>\9a A3DT@\;DAa/)9AD>D6ea3DTa)D-
AD@;)aA-a>;A;)>a/>\9Ha/dFA-Ua\9/aU)DF/aD3a\9/a 
aT;b)eaA-a/)_T;\ea_>/UaA-a;A)T/U/Ua\9/aF/A>\;/Ua
for HIPPA violations. It also provides Medicare and Medicaid monetary incentives for hospitals and physicians to
-DF\a+aA-a\9/aT_>/Ua>UDaFTDb;-/a6TA\Ua3DTa\9/a-/b/>DF@/A\aD3aa9/>\9a;A3DT@\;DAa/d)9A6/+ac9;)9a9/>FUa\Da
encourage healthcare providers to adopt technology to improve efficiency in healthcare.

With today’s ever-changing and efficient technological environment in relation to healthcare, all documentation
involving patient care is monitored more closely, thoroughly, and efficiently by the federal government and entities
involved in the medical profession. It is extremely important to always care for patients as proficient, educated,
competent professionals and document patient care with honesty, integrity, and accuracy. Protecting patients' rights
to maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to their healthcare is a top priority affecting the current healthcare
system, which is reinforced and maintained by developing stricter HIPPA regulations. Failure to uphold these stan-
dards can result in severe consequences to all healthcare providers involved.

Appendix A Adapted from 86'HSDUWPHQWRI+HDOWKDQG+XPDQ6HUYLFHV

Page 16 Legal Issues in Nursing ‹1DWLRQDO&HQWHURI&RQWLQXLQJ(GXFDWLRQ,QF‡ZZZQXUVHFHFRP

LEGAL ISSUES
IN NURSING