Explain how the following impact the medical assistant's practice and give examples (a. Negligence, b. Malpractice, c. Statute of limitations, d. Good Samaritan Act(s), e. Medical durable power of attorney, f. Living will/advanced directives, g. Medical durable power of attorney)

Question

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The Answer is Negligence in the medical assistant's practice can have a significant impact. Negligence occurs when the medical assistant fails to provide the standard level of care that is expected, resulting in harm to the patient. For example, if a medical assistant administers the wrong medication to a patient due to carelessness, it can lead to serious consequences for both the patient and the medical assistant.

B: Malpractice is another critical factor that can impact a medical assistant's practice. It refers to any professional negligence or misconduct by a healthcare provider that results in harm to the patient. An example of malpractice in a medical assistant's practice could be failing to properly sterilize equipment, leading to a patient contracting an infection.

C: The statute of limitations impacts the medical assistant's practice by setting a time limit for when a patient can file a lawsuit for medical malpractice or negligence. This legal time limit varies by state and can impact how a medical assistant documents and reports incidents of potential malpractice or negligence.

D: The Good Samaritan Act(s) can impact the medical assistant's practice by providing legal protection when they provide aid in an emergency situation outside of their regular work environment. For example, if a medical assistant comes across a car accident and provides emergency medical care, they may be protected from liability under the Good Samaritan Act.

E: Medical durable power of attorney impacts the medical assistant's practice by allowing a designated individual to make healthcare decisions on behalf of a patient who is unable to do so. The medical assistant may need to work closely with the individual holding the medical durable power of attorney to ensure that the patient's wishes are being followed.

F: Living will/advanced directives impact the medical assistant's practice by providing guidance on a patient's end-of-life care preferences. The medical assistant must be aware of and respect the patient's advanced directives when providing care, and communicate this information to other healthcare providers involved in the patient's treatment.

G: The Medical durable power of attorney, also known as a healthcare proxy, impacts the medical assistant's practice by designating an individual to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient if they become incapacitated. The medical assistant may need to communicate and work closely with the healthcare proxy to ensure the patient's wishes are being upheld.

Explain How the Following Impact the Medical Assistant's Practice and Give