10.10: Standards of Care I
Federal statutes profoundly impact nursing practice, providing critical guidelines to ensure patient care is equitable, accessible, and of the highest quality. The following laws address distinct aspects of healthcare provision and patient rights:
- • The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010
- • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990
- • The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) was enacted in 1986.
The Affordable Care Act aims to transform healthcare in the United States, focusing on four primary objectives:
- Enhancing consumer rights and protections against unfair practices.
- Improving the affordability and accessibility of healthcare coverage for a broader population.
- Expanding the reach of healthcare services, particularly those previously uninsured or underinsured.
- Emphasizing the delivery of high-quality patient care that efficiently meets individual needs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a pivotal civil rights legislation that prevents discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures equal opportunities across various sectors, including public accommodations like hotels and restaurants, commercial facilities, employment, state and local government services, and transportation. The ADA mandates essential adaptations and provisions to enable individuals with disabilities to partake in and benefit from equivalent opportunities available to the broader public.
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act confronts the "patient dumping" issue by prohibiting hospitals from refusing emergency care based on a patient's insurance status or ability to pay. It mandates that hospitals perform appropriate medical screenings to diagnose emergency conditions and ensures patients are discharged or transferred only once their conditions are stabilized. Exceptions are made if a patient, fully informed of the risks and benefits, requests a transfer or discharge in writing.
These statutes guide nurses and other healthcare professionals to deliver clinically effective, legally compliant, and ethically sound care. They ensure that the healthcare system caters to the requirements of all individuals, irrespective of their financial status, physical capabilities, or urgent medical needs, thereby maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety.
