MEDA 112Medical Law, Ethics & Bioethics

Chapter 6 – Public Duties

Objectives

• Duties of Physicianbirth & death certificatescommunicable/reportable diseasesvaccinationsreportable injuries

abuseevidence collectionsubstance abuse

• Good Samaritan Laws• Informed and uninformed consent• Doctrine of informed consent

Physician’s Public Duties

• A physician is liable civilly and criminally once he/she obtains their license and MUST perform certain duties

Public duties- birth & death certificates

• Legal documents• Birth certificates used

for proof of age, parentage, citizenship

• Death certificate necessary to collect insurance, bank accounts, dispersal of estate, Social Security and veteran’s benefits

Public duties – Communicable Disease

• Protect public health from diseases that can be transmitted

• Notification to local health department

• http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/Epidemiology/CD/#Notifiable%20Conditions%20A-Z

Public duties - Vaccinations

• immunization schedules• 1986 National

Childhood Vaccine Injury Act

• Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)

• VAERS

Public duties – Reportable injuries

• Injury reportable when it concerns public welfare

Public duties – AbuseRCW 74.34.020

Public duties - Evidence

• Proper collection and preservation

• Documentation in medical record

Public duties – Substance abuse

• Watch for doctor-shopping

• Keep prescription pads secure

Good Samaritan Laws

• WAC 246-138-010 Definitions

(2) "Good Samaritan" means a person rendering emergency care or transportation as described in RCW 4.24.300 and 4.24.310