Medical Law, Ethics, and Compliance Flashcards

Which OSHA standard requires healthcare employers to protect workers from bloodborne pathogen exposure?

Answer: Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) mandates exposure control plans, PPE, HBV vaccination, and post-exposure protocols.

When must a medical assistant complete an incident report?

Answer: Whenever an unexpected event occurs that could harm a patient, visitor, or staff member

Incident reports should be completed for any unexpected event or near-miss that could affect patient, visitor, or staff safety.

What does the ADA require of medical practices with 15 or more employees?

Answer: Reasonable accommodations for patients and employees with disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees and patients with disabilities.

Which action by a medical assistant constitutes breach of patient confidentiality?

Answer: Telling a friend about an interesting patient case without using the patient's name

Even without using the patient's name, sharing case details outside the care team violates confidentiality if the patient could potentially be identified.

What is the purpose of the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) regulations?

Answer: To establish quality standards for laboratory testing to ensure accuracy and reliability

CLIA establishes quality standards for all laboratory testing performed on human specimens to ensure accurate, reliable results.

If a patient revokes a previously signed HIPAA release form, what must the medical assistant do?

Answer: Honor the revocation going forward, noting that information already shared cannot be retrieved

Patients have the right to revoke HIPAA authorizations at any time; the revocation applies going forward but cannot undo already-disclosed information.