The Healthcare Handbook

Question

In an effort to further your understanding of the laws, policies, and procedures that govern the healthcare industry today, you will be creating your own abbreviated version of a healthcare facility handbook.

Typically, the handbooks and official documents that outline the policies and procedures for any given healthcare facility are very lengthy and in-depth. For the purposes of this activity, you will be writing a much more abbreviated version.

To get an idea of what you might want to include in your healthcare facility’s policy and procedure handbook, you will start by doing some online research and exploring a variety of healthcare facility websites to see what kind of information they include in their listed policies and procedures. Take notes on items that you think might be helpful for your own policy writing.

You will also want to research the specific laws that govern the health science field as you will include an introduction page in your handbook that states several relevant laws. Specifically, your online research should focus on the following:

Laws that govern the health sciences such as privacy, patient rights, HIPAA, informed consent, advanced directives, malpractice, negligence, etc.
Documentation and record keeping options
Health facility chain of command and scope of practice
Reporting and ethics
Once you have gathered several specific laws and explored a variety of healthcare facility policies and procedures, it is time to use this information, as well as information in the unit, to write your own handbook for a hypothetical healthcare facility that you manage.

First, figure out what kind of healthcare facility you will be writing this handbook for: a fully operational hospital, a pediatric facility, or a family practice, etc.

Next, it is time to start writing! Remember, you will be creating a very abbreviated version of a healthcare facility handbook and only need to write content, policies, and procedures that address the following topics:

Section 1: Laws that Govern Health Sciences
Include at least five specific laws that pertain to the topics discussed in the unit.
Section 2: Documentation
Explain the manner in which patient information is documented and how records are kept. Are they kept by hand? Electronically? Are there any specific forms, and if so, where can they be found? How do you ensure records are accurate?
Section 3: Chain of Command
Outline and explain the levels of authority in your facility. Describe the basic concept of scope of practice and provide several examples of how positions are used at your facility.
Section 4: Malpractice and More
Define and provide a brief example of each of the following terms: malpractice, liability, negligence, abandonment, false imprisonment, and fraud.
Provide guidance and policy/procedure information for how your facility handles each of these above listed items. For example, do you provide liability insurance or are employees required to purchase their own?
Section 5: Reporting and Ethics
Provide information on how employees should report unethical behavior if they witness it. What constitutes unethical behavior? Provide examples.
What signs of domestic violence or neglect should employees keep their eyes open for? How do employees go about reporting this if they should encounter a patient they suspect is dealing with domestic abuse or neglect?
While you are required to label and identify each section in your handbook, how you organize and explain the required information within each section is entirely up to you. You may use a word processing or slideshow program and include any graphics, images, or charts that you feel will help explain the information presented. Your overall presentation must include at least two graphics, images, or charts.

Answer 1

Healthcare Facility Handbook: ABC Family Practice

Introduction

Welcome to the ABC Family Practice Handbook. This document is designed to provide an overview of the key policies and procedures that govern our facility, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and legal compliance.

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Section 1: Laws that Govern Health Sciences

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Protects patient privacy by setting standards for the handling of personal health information.
• Patient Self-Determination Act: Mandates that patients are informed of their rights to make decisions about their medical care, including the right to execute advance directives.
• Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA): Requires hospitals to provide emergency medical treatment to all patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
• Informed Consent Law: Patients must be given adequate information about treatment options to make informed decisions; consent must be voluntary.
• Malpractice Law: Governs professional misconduct or negligence in the healthcare setting, allowing patients to seek compensation for harm.

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Section 2: Documentation

At ABC Family Practice, patient information is documented electronically through a secure Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

• Methods of Documentation:

  • All patient interactions, assessments, and treatments are logged into the EHR system immediately following each encounter.
  • Specific forms include consent forms, medical history forms, and treatment plans, all accessible through the EHR.

• Record Maintenance:

  • Records are monitored routinely for accuracy; staff are trained to double-check information inputted into the system.
  • Regular audits are conducted to ensure compliance with documentation standards.

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Section 3: Chain of Command

The hierarchical structure at ABC Family Practice ensures clear lines of responsibility and authority:

1. Practice Manager: Oversees overall operations and is the primary decision-maker.
2. Medical Director: Responsible for clinical governance and ensuring compliance with medical standards.
3. Provider Level: Includes Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants, focusing on direct patient care.
4. Nurses and Medical Assistants: Provide support to clinical staff and assist with patient care and administrative tasks.

Scope of Practice:

• Each role has defined responsibilities aligned with their training. For instance, nurse practitioners can diagnose and prescribe, while medical assistants take vital signs and assist with patient intake.

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Section 4: Malpractice and More

• Malpractice: Professional negligence resulting in harm, e.g., a doctor misdiagnosing a condition.
• Liability: Legal responsibility for damages caused by negligent actions.
• Negligence: Failure to take proper care in doing something, e.g., not following protocols for administering medication.
• Abandonment: Ending a provider-patient relationship without adequate notice, e.g., a doctor leaving without proper handover.
• False Imprisonment: Unlawfully restricting a patient’s freedom, such as keeping a patient in the facility without justification.
• Fraud: Misrepresentation leading to patient harm, e.g., falsifying billing information.

Handling Policies:

• ABC Family Practice provides liability insurance for all healthcare professionals.
• Employees are required to report any incidents of malpractice or negligence immediately to the medical director or practice manager for investigation and corrective action.

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Section 5: Reporting and Ethics

Reporting Unethical Behavior:

• Employees are encouraged to report any unethical behavior they witness to their supervisor or through an anonymous hotline.
• Examples of Unethical Behavior: Falsifying patient records, discrimination, and breaching patient confidentiality.

Domestic Violence/Neglect Signs:

• Employees should be alert to signs such as unexplained bruises, frequent injuries, or signs of fear in patients when discussing their home life.
• If a suspicion of domestic violence or neglect arises, employees must fill out a reporting form and submit it to a designated safeguarding officer within the practice.

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Conclusion

This abbreviated handbook serves as a resource for understanding the policies and procedures at ABC Family Practice. Adhering to these guidelines ensures the delivery of high-quality and ethical patient care.

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Graphics

1. Chain of Command Chart: A visual representation of the hierarchy within ABC Family Practice.
2. Documentation Flowchart: A chart outlining the documentation process from patient intake to record maintenance.

(Note: Actual graphics should be created and inserted here to enhance the visual appeal of the handbook.)

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Thank you for being a part of ABC Family Practice and for your commitment to our patients and community!