Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care? Discussion Topic Assume?Nancy?was?hired 15 years ago?as a Special Procedures RN in Radiology by a non-union hospital.?Over time
Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care
Discussion Topic
Assume Nancy was hired 15 years ago as a Special Procedures RN in Radiology by a non-union hospital. Over time the environment and regulations changed, and patients treated in Radiology became more complex. Now new and existing staff must be certified as Intensive Care Nurses. All the Radiology Special Procedures RN's take the required courses and everyone except Nancy passes. Nancy failed the course the first time, she took it a second time and now it appears that she purposely failed the second course.
Over the years Nancy has had a "special" relationship with the Physician leader of this Section of Radiology, and the Hospital leaders suspect that she feels "protected and insulated" from any changes due to this relationship. Her employer transfers Nancy to a position in another department, that does not require ICU certification. Nancy keeps her current pay and benefits but does lose departmental seniority, which effects her seniority for election of vacation and holidays.
Nancy resists the transfer, acts poorly toward her co-workers in her new department and sues the hospital for breach of contract.
Do you think Nancy has a case? Was there a contract in place that governed the relationship? What should the hospital do now?
In this week's forum, discuss/describe the concept of morality and its differences to the concept of ethics.
APA Format- 250 words
Required Textbook: Pozgar, G. (2021) “Legal and Ethical Essentials of Health Care Administration”, 3rdEdition, Burlington, MA: Jones & BartlettISBN: 978-1-284221794 or EBook: 978-1284055726
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
THIS CONTRACT is made as of the day of , 20 , between Company Name (Insert DBA or Common Name), a corporation [or other business type] incorporated under the laws of (insert state) and having its principal place of business at (insert address) (the "Employer"); and [Employee Name], of [City, State] (the "Employee").
WHEREAS the Employer desires to obtain the benefit of the services of the Employee, and the Employee desires to render such services on the terms and conditions set forth.
IN CONSIDERATION of the promises and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment
The Employee agrees that s/he will at all times faithfully, industriously, and to the best of his/her skills, experience and talents, perform all of the duties required of his position. In carrying out these duties and responsibilities, the Employee shall comply with all Employer policies, procedures, rules and regulations, both written and oral, as are announced by the Employer from time to time. It is also understood and agreed to by the Employee that his/her assignment, duties and responsibilities, and reporting arrangements may be changed by the Employer in its sole discretion without causing termination of this agreement.
2. Position Title
As a [Job Title], the Employee is required to perform all of his/her necessary job functions and duties, and all other duties that may be assigned to Employee from time to time by Employer.
3. Compensation
As full compensation for all services provided, the employee shall be paid at the rate of
and will be subject to [ CHOOSE APPLICABLE PERIOD: annual/quarterly/or describe other review period] review. Such payments shall be subject to normal mandatory deductions by the Employer (i.e. federal & state taxes, Social Security, Medicare).
dollars ($ ) per hour/annually
4. Benefits
In addition, the Employee will be eligible to participate in bonuses and other employee benefit plans established by the Company for its employees from time to time. The Employer currently offers (insert benefit list, i.e. We offer a medical PPO, a dental PPO, and a vision plan. We also offer life insurance. You would still leave out exact prices.) and more details on these benefits will be provided under separate cover. The Employee is eligible for our company benefits after (insert time frame, must be less than 90 days after start date for health insurance).
5. Probationary Period
It is understood and agreed that the first 90 days of employment shall constitute a probationary period. During this probationary period, the Employee is not eligible for paid time off or other benefits [adapt this according to your business’ needs].
Though termed a probationary period, the Employer retains the right to exercise at will employment at any time and may terminate the Employee at any time.
6. Paid Time Off
The Employee shall be entitled to Vacation Time in the amount of XX weeks per annum, which equals XX days or XX hours. Sick Leave is provided in the amount of XX weeks, which equals XX days or XX hours per annum. The Employer also provides Bereavement Leave if needed.
The Employee is not eligible for any kinds of leave until the 90-day probationary period has been passed successfully. Please see the Employee Handbook for more information and for appropriate use/ policies regarding all time off and leave (include this only if you have one).
The Employer reserves the right to change or otherwise modify, in its sole discretion, the preceding terms of employment.
7. At Will Employment
While we look forward to a long and profitable relationship, you will be an at will employee of the Employer, which means the employment relationship can be terminated by either of us for any reason, at any time, with or without prior notice and with or without cause. Any statements or representations to the
contrary (and, indeed, any statements contradicting any provision in this letter) should be regarded by you as ineffective.
The Employee may at any time terminate this contract and his employment by giving not less than two weeks written notice to the Employer. The employee agrees to return any property of the Employer at the time of termination.
8. Non-Competition Covenant & Confidentiality
***Non-competition covenants do not hold up in California court. If you believe you need a non-compete and your principal place of business is in California, we recommend you consult your attorney and create a non-disclosure agreement & invention patent (IP) clause/contract***
It is agreed that following termination of the employee’s employment with the Employer for any reason the Employee shall not hire or attempt to hire any current employees of (insert name of company). It is further acknowledged and agreed that following termination of the Employee’s employment with the Employer for any reason, the Employee shall not solicit business from current clients or clients who have retained the Employer during the prior 12 month period.
As an employee of the Employer, you will have access to certain confidential information of the Employer and you may, during the course of your employment, develop certain information or inventions that will be the property of the Employer. To protect the interests of the Employer, you will need to sign the Employer’s standard “Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement” as a condition of your employment (keep this if you have one). We wish to impress upon you that we do not want you to, and we hereby direct you not to, bring with you any confidential or proprietary material of any former employer or to violate any other obligations you may have to any former employer.
During the period that you render services to the Employer, you agree to not engage in any employment, business, or activity that is in any way competitive with the business or proposed business of the Employer. You will disclose to the Employer in writing any other gainful employment, business, or activity that you are currently associated with or participate in that competes with the Employer. You will not assist any other person or organization in competing with the Employer or in preparing to engage in competition with the business or proposed business of the Employer.
More details will be provided in the Employer’s “Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement” under separate cover (keep this if you have one).
9. Integration
This contract contains the entire agreement between the parties, superseding in all respects any and all prior oral or written agreements or understandings pertaining to the employment of the Employee by the Employer and shall be amended or modified only by written instrument signed by both of the parties hereto.
10. Authorization to Work
Please note that because of employer regulations adopted in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, within three (3) business days of starting your new position, you will need to present documentation demonstrating that you have authorization to work in the United States.
11. Severability of Contract
The parties hereto agree that in the event any article or part thereof of this contract is held to be unenforceable or invalid, then said article or part shall be struck, and all remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
12. Choice of Law
This contract shall be governed, interpreted, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of (insert state name).
This contract will remain open until [Date]. If you decide to accept this contract, please sign the enclosed copy of this letter in the space indicated and return it to me. Your signature will acknowledge that you have read and understood and agreed to the terms and conditions of this agreement and the attached documents, if any.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Employer has caused this contract to be executed by its duly authorized officers and the Employee has agreed as of the date first above written.
SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED in the presence of:
Name of Employee Date
Owner/CEO Date
,
Contracts
Contract
· A special agreement, written or oral, that involves legally binding obligations between two or more parties.
Purpose of a Contract
· To specify, limit, & define agreements that are legally enforceable.
· A contract forces the participants to be specific in their understandings & expectations of each other.
· Contracts serve to minimize misunderstanding & offer a means for parties of a contract to resolve disputes that may arise.
Types of Contracts – I
· Express
· Oral
· Written
· Implied
· Voidable
Elements of a Contract – I
· Offer
· Consideration
· Adequacy
Elements of a Contract – Acceptance
· Meeting of the Minds
· Definite & Complete
· Duration
· Complete and Conforming
Breach of Contract
· Occurs when there is a violation of one or more of the terms of the contract.
· Elements necessary to establish a breach
· a valid contract was executed.
· plaintiff performed as specified in the contract.
· defendant failed to perform as specified in the contract.
· plaintiff suffered economic loss as a result of defendant's breach of contract.
Competent Parties
· Corporations
· Partnerships
· Agents
· Independent Contractors
Legality of Object
· To be a valid contract, the contract must not violate any federal or state statute, law, rule or regulation.
Conditions
· Act/s or event/s that must occur or be performed by one party before the 2nd party has any responsibility to perform under the contract.
Performance
· Substantial performance by one party to a contract will obligate the other parties to perform.
Nonperformance Defenses – I
· Fraud
· Mistakes
· Mistake of Fact
· Mistake of Law
· Duress
· Illegal Contract
· Impossibility
· Statute of Limitations
Remedies
· Specified Performance
· Monetary Damages
· General & Consequential Damages
· Duty to Mitigate Damages
Employment Contracts
· Express Agreement
· Implied Contracts
Text Cases: Employment Contracts
· Nurse Breaches Contract:
· Repayment of Tuition Required
· No Express Agreement: Right to Terminate
· Restrictive Covenant Enforceable
· Restrictive Covenant Not Enforceable
Employee Handbooks – I
· Elements necessary to establish employee handbook as a contract:
· policy statement that clearly sets forth a promise the employee can construe to be an offer
· policy statement must be distributed to the employee, making him or her aware of the offer
· after learning about the offer & policy statement, the employee must “begin” or “continue” to work
Employee Handbooks – II
· Hospital Violates Provisions of Employee Handbook
· Handbook Not a Contract Due to Disclaimer
· Termination of Contract Due to Insubordination
Medical Staff Bylaws a Contract
· Applicants for appointment to a medical-dental staff submit a signed application attesting he has read & agree to accept & abide by the bylaws.
· The physician promises to abide by the medical staff bylaws in exchange for medical staff privileges.
· Exchange of promises, constitutes consideration to support any contract of this bilateral nature.
Exclusive Contracts
· An organization often enters into an exclusive contract with physicians or medical groups for the purpose of providing a specific service to the organization.
· Exclusive contracts generally occur within the organization's ancillary service departments (e.g., radiology, anesthesiology, and pathology).
Noncompetitive Contract Clauses
· Often included in employment agreements.
· Agreement not to practice within agreed upon geographic area.
· Legal counsel should be sought prior to executing such agreements.
Transfer Agreements – I
· Identification of parties to agreement
· Purpose of agreement
· Policies & procedures for transfer
· Organizational responsibilities for transfer
· Exchanging/Sharing information
Transfer Agreement – II
· Retention of autonomy
· Procedure for settling disputes
· Procedure for modification or termination
· Sharing of Services
· Publicity
· Exclusive v. Non-exclusive agreement
Insurance Contracts
· Form of risk management used primarily to hedge against risk of potential loss.
· Insurer obligation to indemnify insured for losses caused by specified events.
· Insured pays fixed premium
,
Possible defenses and remedies for nonperformance of a contract
Performance
Substantial performance by one party to a contract will obligate the other parties to perform.
Nonperformance Defenses – I
Fraud
Mistakes
Mistake of Fact
Mistake of Law
Duress
Illegal Contract
Impossibility
Statute of Limitations
Remedies
Specified Performance
Monetary Damages
General & Consequential Damages
Duty to Mitigate Damages
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