Preface.1. The Big Business of Health Care and You.2. Laws and Regulations You Will Encounter.3. From the Constitution to the Courtroom.4. Criminal Acts and Intentional Torts.5. What Makes a Contract.6. Medical Malpractice and Other Lawsuits.7. The Health Record.8. Introduction to Ethics.9. Laws and Ethics of Patient Confidentiality.10. Professional Ethics and the Living.11. Reproductive Issues and Early Life.12. Death and dying. Glossary. Bibliography.

Up to date with current information on the latest health care regulations and technology, APPLIED LAW AND ETHICS IN HEALTH CARE, First Edition, prepares future health care professionals to navigate the legal and ethical dilemmas they may face in medical environments. Beginning with an overview of business-related issues and the court system, the text proceeds to cover the standard of care, employment, criminal and tortious acts, contractual issues, negligence, medical malpractice and other important matters of law. The second half of the text delves into the ethical concerns present in medical practices, including patient confidentiality, health records, professional ethics and issues associated with patient births and deaths. A practical resource for both novices and seasoned professionals, the text features real-life cases and news stories to ground readers in relevant laws and ethical issues, along with activities to hone their own critical-thinking and decision-making skills. This thoughtful, thorough guide helps readers understand their legal and ethical obligations, when to seek legal advice, how to work with the legal profession and how to protect themselves and their future employers from medical malpractice and other legal risks.