To Kim Woods Only Assignment 1: Legal Aspects Of U.S. Health

To Kim Woods Only Assignment 1: Legal Aspects of U.S. Health Care System

To Kim Woods Only Assignment 1: Legal Aspects of U.S. Health Care System Administration Due Week 4 and worth 100 points Prevailing wisdom reinforces the fact that working in U.S. health care administration in the 21st Century requires knowledge of the various aspects of health laws as they apply to dealing with medical professionals. Further, because U.S. health care administrators have to potentially interact with many levels of professionals beyond the medical profession, it is prudent that they are aware of any federal, state, and local laws that may be applicable to their organizations. Thus, their conduct is also subject to the letter of the law. They must evaluate the quality of their professional interactions and be mindful of the implications and ramifications of their decisions.

You are employed as a top health administrator at the hypothetical Well Care Hospital in Happy Town. When you were hired, your pre-employment screening involved background checks into any violation of hospital medical misconduct during the last five (5) years. The results showed that you were in good standing with the hospital administration community. During the past year, you had to undergo training in personnel conduct, as well as in inter-employee conduct with medical staff, nurses, technologists, etc. During the past six (6) months, the hospital has been under scrutiny for breach of medical compliance.

Note: You may create and/or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you: Articulate your position as the top administrator concerned about the importance of professional conduct within the health care setting. Justify your position. Ascertain the major ramifications of having professional staff compromise the boundaries of ethics and medical conduct. Analyze the four (4) elements required of a plaintiff to prove medical negligence. Discuss the overarching duties of the health care governing board in mitigating the effects of medical non-compliance, as they apply to the rules of practice set forth in the Well Care Hospital governing board’s manifesto. Use at least five (5) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Describe the sources of law in America, the relative legal procedure, and the related court system. Examine the various applications of the law within the health care system. Use technology and information resources to research issues in health care policy, law, and ethics. Write clearly and concisely about health care policy, law, and ethics using proper writing mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Professional conduct within healthcare organizations is paramount to ensuring safety, integrity, and high-quality patient care. As the top administrator at Well Care Hospital in Happy Town, I recognize that maintaining ethical standards and legal compliance is fundamental to the organization’s reputation and operational effectiveness. This paper articulates the significance of professional conduct, explores the consequences of ethical breaches among medical staff, analyzes the elements of medical negligence, and discusses the role of the governing board in promoting compliance and accountability.

The Importance of Professional Conduct in Healthcare

Professional conduct in healthcare encompasses adherence to ethical principles, legal standards, and organizational policies. It fosters trust among patients, staff, and stakeholders, which is crucial for effective healthcare delivery (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). As the top administrator, I am committed to cultivating a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability. Ensuring staff adhere to ethical boundaries prevents misconduct that could jeopardize patient safety, lead to legal liabilities, and undermine organizational credibility (Mann et al., 2020). Regular training sessions and clear policies reinforce these standards, equipping staff to navigate complex ethical dilemmas effectively.

Ramifications of Breaching Ethical and Medical Conduct

When healthcare professionals compromise ethical boundaries, the repercussions extend beyond individual misconduct. These breaches can result in patient harm, legal action, financial penalties, and damage to institutional reputation (Leape & Berwick, 2020). For example, violations such as falsification of medical records or unethical treatment decisions diminish trust and may lead to patient lawsuits, increased scrutiny by oversight bodies, and potential licensure suspensions (Gino et al., 2017). Institutional damage impacts staff morale and community perception, ultimately risking the hospital’s accreditation status and operational license.

Elements of Medical Negligence

To establish medical negligence, four essential elements must be proven by a plaintiff:

1. Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed a duty to the patient, established through the provider-patient relationship.
2. Breach of Duty: The provider failed to adhere to the standard of care expected in similar circumstances.
3. Causation: The breach directly caused harm or injury to the patient.
4. Damages: The patient suffered measurable harm or loss due to the breach (Vincent, 2019).
5. Accurately proving these elements is critical in malpractice litigation and holds providers accountable for negligent acts.
6. The Role of the Healthcare Governing Board in Ensuring Compliance
7. The governing board plays a pivotal role in overseeing legal and ethical compliance within healthcare organizations (Lemons & Margolis, 2018). Their overarching duties include establishing policies that promote ethical behavior, monitoring adherence to legal standards, and implementing corrective actions when violations occur. Specifically, in Well Care Hospital, the Board’s manifesto emphasizes transparency, patient safety, and continuous quality improvement. The board’s active engagement involves regular audits, staff training, and fostering a culture where ethical concerns can be openly addressed without fear of retaliation (Hall et al., 2021). By setting a tone of accountability and compliance, the board ensures that medical and non-medical staff uphold the hospital’s mission and ethical standards.
8. Conclusion
9. Maintaining professional conduct is essential for the sustainable operation of healthcare organizations. Ethical breaches threaten patient safety, organizational reputation, and legal standing. It is the obligation of the hospital’s governing board to enforce robust compliance strategies and foster an organizational culture rooted in integrity. As healthcare administrators, our commitment to ethical standards safeguards both our patients and the institution’s integrity, ensuring high-quality, safe, and ethical care delivery.
10. References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Gino, F., Kouchaki, M., & Galinsky, A. (2017). The Price of Ethical Dissonance in the Workplace. Harvard Business Review, 95(2), 102-109.
• Hall, M., Pandhi, N., Donahue, K., & Cassell, J. (2021). Governing Hospital Ethics and Compliance: Strategies for Effective Oversight. Journal of Healthcare Management, 66(3), 180–192.
• Leape, L. L., & Berwick, D. M. (2020). Five Years After To Err Is Human: What Have We Learned? Journal of the American Medical Association, 324(20), 2036–2037.
• Lemons, J., & Margolis, J. (2018). Healthcare Governance and Compliance Strategies. Annals of Healthcare Law, 27(1), 57–75.
• Mann, D. M., McCarthy, B., & Hirsh, A. (2020). Upholding Ethical Standards in Healthcare Settings. Bioethics, 34(5), 514–520.
• Vincent, C. (2019). Patient Safety and Medical Negligence. Nursing Standard, 33(6), 41–44.
• Additional scholarly sources may include peer-reviewed articles discussing legal aspects of healthcare compliance and ethics.