A Patient Requests a New Treatment That They Read About

question 13

Multiple Choice

A patient requests a new treatment that they read about online. The treatment is very expensive and is not covered by the patient's insurance because a less expensive alternative is considered the standard of care. What is the best course of action for the HEC?

• A) Convince the patient to accept the less expensive standard of care.
• B) Ensure that the hospital honors the wishes of the patient by providing the new treatment.
• C) Reallocate hospital resources in anticipation that the new treatment will soon become the new standard of care.
• D) Form a subcommittee to investigate costs, risks, and benefits of the treatment to determine best possible care for the patient.

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Definitions:

Subpoena Duces Tecum

A legal document ordering an individual to appear in court with specified documents or evidence.

Malfeasance

The performance of an act by a public official that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of a public trust).

Res Ipsa Loquitur

A legal doctrine that allows an inference of negligence to be drawn from the mere occurrence of certain types of accidents, without specific evidence of an act of negligence.

Subpoena Duces Tecum

A legal document requiring a person to produce documents or records for a court case.